‘Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it.’
Andy Warhol

Our curriculum vision

The aim of Art education at Harlington is that our students will enjoy being creative, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences. They will become more proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft, and design techniques. We want them to learn to evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft, and design, as well as to learn about great artists, craft makers and designers, and begin to understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms. Art students learn to use their experiences and ideas from a range of artists as the inspiration for their own artwork. Through drawing, painting, and sculpture, they learn a variety of techniques and ways to express themselves.

A level Fine Art

Following GCSE study in Art and Design, students beginning A level Fine Art develop their understanding of the nature of visual thinking and visual language. Through exploration of a greater range of styles and artistic movements, students develop their capacity for creative thought and become confident innovators, producing effective personal responses, alongside developing a critical awareness of the subject.

In Year 12, students complete the coursework component, centred on a set theme. Students develop their sketchbook investigations with a strong emphasis on drawing skills, experimentation, and research into artists of interest, towards developing into two final pieces.

In Year 13, students can follow their individual interests, developing a portfolio of work and develop their critical awareness of the subject in the form of a short essay.

This is followed by the externally set assignment from the exam board and is completed under exam conditions at the end of the Year. Students will develop a body of preparatory studies and complete the final piece under a 15-hour controlled assessment under exam conditions.

We encourage accountability, supporting students to work independently and ambition in developing the skills they need to establish themselves as artists. The department operates an open access policy for post 16 students where they can freely use the art studios during their study periods, with an allocated room for sixth form students only. Field study is promoted, along with visits to Art galleries and exhibitions during the course.

How to find out more and support your child’s learning

Edexcel Fine Art specification GCE A Level Fine Art 9FAO

The National Gallery http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/

The National Portrait Gallery http://www.npg.org.uk/

Visits to Art galleries and museums are hugely helpful in developing your child’s understanding of the art they are engaging with at school.