What is Fine Art?

Art should be viewed both as a form of communication and a means of expressing your ideas and feelings. We aim to provide you with opportunities to develop personal expression as we encourage observation and analysis, imagination, experimentation, sensitivity, conceptual thinking and practical skills.

Communication, expression. How do you turn your thoughts into a physical thing?

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Specifics

  • Course specific entry requirements

    Grade 5 from Art. Merit or above if BTEC*

  • Assessment methods

    1 exam project, 1 coursework project

  • Course duration

    2 years

  • Course type

    Linear A-level

  • Exam board

    AQA

How you will study

You will work through wide ranging processes and activities, materials and techniques including: drawing, pastels, iPads, charcoal, inks, collage, watercolour, acrylic, oil paints, mixed media, digital photography and 3D materials. Your learning experiences will include: whole class and small group demonstrations; individual discussions and personal exploration; sketchbook and larger scale developmental work; study trips and working with artists.

Course Content Summary

  • Portfolio Component:

    You will work and develop ideas using a range of processes, skills and techniques producing a portfolio of coursework. Over the year you will work on 3 short projects leading into a sustained project.

  • Personal Investigation

    You will develop a practical project which will be supported by a written element of 1000- 3000 words.

  • Externally Set Assignment

    You will have approximately ten weeks to produce prep work. At the end of this lead in time you will produce final work in 15 hrs of unaided, supervised time.

What else might you do?

  • We have excellent links to the Whitworth Art Gallery and Manchester Art Gallery and their post 16 programmes. At the Whitworth, students have recently taken part in workshops with professional artists on resin casting, street art and 3D mixed media. Every year we have a committed group of students who are part of Manchester Art Gallery’s “Creative Consultants.”

  • We believe that study trips are vital in observing artworks and as well as regular visits to Manchester galleries, students have enhanced their understanding with trips to New York, Barcelona, Berlin, Paris, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Cornwall and The Liverpool Tate.

What can I do after Xaverian?

Most art and design degree courses require students to do an Art Foundation. Art degrees are wide and varied: Fine Art, Graphics, 3D Design, Illustration, Textiles, Fashion, Sports Wear Design, Animation, Product Design, Photography/film, Jewellery Design, Costume and Set Design.

What else might you do?

  • We have excellent links to the Whitworth Art Gallery and Manchester Art Gallery and their post 16 programmes. At the Whitworth, students have recently taken part in workshops with professional artists on resin casting, street art and 3D mixed media. Every year we have a committed group of students who are part of Manchester Art Gallery’s “Creative Consultants.”

  • We believe that study trips are vital in observing artworks and as well as regular visits to Manchester galleries, students have enhanced their understanding with trips to New York, Barcelona, Berlin, Paris, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Cornwall and The Liverpool Tate.

What can I do after Xaverian?

Most art and design degree courses require students to do an Art Foundation. Art degrees are wide and varied: Fine Art, Graphics, 3D Design, Illustration, Textiles, Fashion, Sports Wear Design, Animation, Product Design, Photography/film, Jewellery Design, Costume and Set Design.