WHAT WILL I STUDY?

You will learn to use the visual language of Art and Design to develop ideas, explore techniques and
processes, and to integrate these to form your own art work and to connect with the work of other
artists, craft-workers and designers. You will learn how to respond to a theme or stimulus and to
develop your own ideas. You will learn how to organise a project from the initial starting-point,
through the use of a sketchbook and other studies, into a final considered outcome.
This course is for Key Stage 4 students who show an aptitude for Visual Arts and Design and who
want to continue to develop their image-making skills, conceptual understanding of the Visual Arts
and technical skills. It is an excellent preparation for further study in visual arts and design either at
A level or BTEC Level 3.

HOW IS THE COURSE STRUCTURED AND ASSESSED?

This is a two-year course, divided into two components:

• Component 1 – Portfolio (60% of GCSE). This takes the form of a number of projects set by the teacher and is completed over approximately 45 hours of supervised study.
• Component 2 – Externally Set Assignment (40% of GCSE). Students respond to their chosen starting point from an externally set assignment paper, evidencing all four assessment objectives.

HOW WILL I STUDY?

In our purpose-built state-of-the-art facilities we are able to offer a first-rate environment for the
study of Visual Arts and Design. We have facilities for drawing and painting and three-dimensional
design, fine art studios and computer suites with the latest art and design software such as
Photoshop, Illustrator and Premiere Pro and graphic tablets for digital drawing. Added to this
excellent setting is a superb set of departmental teachers making what we believe is a unique
environment for the preparation of tomorrow’s artists, designers and visual communicators.
Studying at BOA will enable you to develop your skills and ideas whilst benefitting from working
in a dedicated arts environment. You will undertake skills workshops, presentations and will also
have an opportunity to work in ‘open studio’ times when you can use the studio space for individual
experimentation and development of personal ideas and techniques.