In Years 7-9, pupils will work through a series of projects to explore two and three-dimensional skills, including black and white line work, mark-making, perspective and colour theory. All of this will equip our students with the skills and understanding of the formal elements. In Year 9, pupils start being introduced to GCSE projects and assessment objectives, and learn to critically evaluate artists’ work in relation to their own ideas and responses. Pupils also have the opportunity to explore photography both digitally and in the darkroom.

The GCSE Art course at Colfe’s is an exciting multimedia course which aims to enthuse, develop confidence and creative thinking, and encourage students to explore their own interests and lines of enquiry. There will be visits to museums and exhibitions and several exciting workshops run by visiting artists. In Year 10, pupils learn about a wide array of materials and processes in a range of themes and starting points. In Year 11, pupils will work towards more individual lines of enquiry and at the end of the year have the opportunity to display an exhibition of their work.

At A-level, there is a choice of two endorsements – Art and Design or Photography. The Year 12 courses in both areas consist of two components: ‘Materials and Processes’ and a ‘Personal Contextual Study’ where students are encouraged to explore an artist(s) and theme of their own choice. In Year 13, pupils are encouraged to pursue more personal lines of enquiry and an exam-based theme. Pupils also curate their own end-of-course exhibition. In addition, both courses offer an array of museum and exhibition visits, talks and workshop days with visiting artists. We encourage our students to regularly visit museums and galleries and attend talks outside of school.

The Art & Photography Department is housed in the Beardwood Creative Arts Centre and consists of three spacious, light-filled studios and a separate photography studio and dark room. Further facilities include a digital area with a full adobe suite, a printmaking and screen printing area and a kiln.

Both Art and Photography are supportive subjects for all areas of academic work and, for many students, are seen as enriching elements of their broader education. Even students who do not intend to continue creative arts at higher education level – like some of our medicine students – quite often keep Art or Photography as an option in Year 13. For those students planning to continue with higher education courses in the creative arts, we offer guidance with applications to art foundation and degree courses, and help to develop their portfolios in support of those applications. A-level Art and Photography students at Colfe’s often go on to study degrees in Fine Art, History of Art, Architecture, Graphic Design, Advertising and Marketing, Animation, Set Design, Photography and more.

A-level Course Details