Department of Art and Design

Why study Art and Design at Greenhead?

In the Art department at Greenhead College we feel that our students should have ownership of their work, an opportunity to create a visual language which says something about the way they understand the world. We believe that the diversity of students we teach should be reflected in their artwork. Having completed the AS and A2 courses our students are extremely well prepared for the next stage of their lives, with skills which are transferable to all aspects of adult life.

‘an inspiring, encouraging and nurturing centre focussing on the individual’ Moderator’s report

We are a committed and enthusiastic department which includes 2 full-time and one-part time practising artist-teachers as well as 2 specialist art technicians. All lessons take place in purpose built specialist studios and workshops. We have facilities for painting, printmaking, black and white photography, digital imaging, moving image, graphics, textiles and fashion. The studios are alive with a diversity of ideas and methods of work and many students gravitate towards the art studios in their own time to continue their work in a supportive, highly creative and happy environment.

As a department we very much want your art experience to excite and challenge you creatively as well as develop social, interpersonal and communicative skills.

‘Art and design students produce exciting and highly individual work that is excellently supported by thoughtful workbooks that document the process. They are surrounded by excellent work by current and past students and their work is celebrated around the college’
Ofsted Inspection report

In August 2011 the pass rate at A-level was 100% with 80% of our A-level students achieving an A or B.

Course outline

Edexcel AS / A Level Art and Design

At Greenhead we offer a broad-based AS and A Level art and design course that gives students the opportunity to experience a range of specialist areas before making informed choices about the areas in which they would like to specialise. The emphasis of the course is on developing your own ideas and creativity with constant reference to contemporary art practice and culture.

You will be given on-going and constant feedback that will allow you to refine and develop your working practices allowing you to meet your full creative potential. Through a combination of slideshows, discussions and gallery visits we will introduce you to a wide range of contextual sources both historical and contemporary allowing you to make personal and informed responses to the work of current artists, designers and craftspeople.

‘it is difficult to imagine the existence of a centre in which the subject is held in greater regard or taught more effectively; or one in which the interests of candidates are nurtured more expertly or where they respond with more enthusiasm and confidence’
Art moderator’s report

The AS Course

The AS course makes up 50% of the full A Level Course. Although the majority of our students go on to study the full A Level Art course over two years you and your teacher may decide that it is best for you to take the AS level on its own as a stand alone qualification.

The best foundation for success in AS Art is a good grade at GCSE, however this is not a requirement of the department. If you are creative, enthusiastic and have an aptitude for the subject then you may have the skills to succeed. AS Art is not an easy option and requires hard work as well as a willingness to develop your skills, knowledge and interests.

‘It is clear, from observing the work, that all candidates thoroughly enjoyed their education at this centre. There is an enthusiasm for, and a delight in producing exciting and sophisticated imagery... Moderation at this centre was an enjoyable and occasionally moving experience.' Moderator’s report 2008

'This is a highly innovative and exciting centre and the hard work of the students and staff was reflected in the very high quality of work produced by all ability ranges'. Moderator's report 2010

The AS Level is made up of two units; Unit 1 Art and Design Coursework 60% of the AS. 30% of the full A Level Internally set and marked. Externally moderated. Work required: Work journal Final piece

This first unit of the AS course is designed to introduce you to a range of different art processes, techniques and materials as well as challenging your idea of what art is. You will be given the opportunity to experiment within a range of specialist areas such as paint, printmaking, textiles, graphics, black and white photography, moving image, digital imagery and fashion.

Throughout the course you will be introduced to a wide range of contemporary and historical artists, designers and craftspeople. This will take the form of discussions and slideshows as well as giving you the opportunity to respond to the work of others first-hand through gallery visits and exhibitions. Last year this included visits to Tate Liverpool and Yorkshire Sculpture Park.

During this unit you will be responding to a given theme or starting-point developing your recording and research skills. In recent years this has included ; Viewpoints, Concealed and Revealed, Movement, Surfaces and structures, Objects and objectivity. Towards the end of this unit you will be given the opportunity to generate and develop your own ideas in response to the work of others and your understanding of the theme, before working towards a well considered final piece.

Unit 2 Art and Design Externally Set Assignment 40% of AS. 20% of A Level Externally set and internally marked Externally moderated Work required: Work journal 8 hour exam piece

The theme for this unit is set by the exam board and just like Unit 1 is a word or starting-point. With the support and guidance of your teacher you will identify your own personal intentions in response to your interpretation of the theme. Over a period of around 8 weeks you will work through the creative process, exploring a range of ideas and processes possibly building on work produced in Unit 1. Looking at the work of others and taking influence from both the ideas behind their work as well as their use of materials should help you refine and evaluate your own ideas before producing a final piece over 8 hours under exam conditions. Your exam piece should represent the culmination of your work so far.

At the beginning of July we make an annual 3 day residential visit to London to visit a range of galleries and exhibitions. In recent years this has included; Tate Modern, Tate Britain, The Hayward, The Serpentine, The Barbican, The Victoria and Albert Museum, Camden Arts Centre, The Whitechapel , White Cube, The Royal Academy.

Students benefit a lot from the trip and use it as the basis for their work in the second year of the course. All students who have studied AS Art and Design are welcome to come along.

‘The information and inspiration gathered from the annual residence in London proves to be invaluable in the themes chosen for Unit 3 and contributes impressively to the content of much of the practical work elsewhere in the programme’
Moderator’s report

The A2 Course

The emphasis of the A2 year is on independent study to enrich your own personal work, integrating contextual studies with your personal practice.

'an excellent, structured and supportive course providing candidates with ample opportunity for personal development, delivered by a dedicated and caring team of highly motivated staff'
Art moderator's report 2007

Unit 3 Art and Design Coursework 30% of the full A Level Internally set and marked Externally moderated Work required: Work journals, coursework Final piece/s 1,500 word personal study

The first unit of the second year aims to give you the opportunity to pursue your own creative ideas and personal interests in a chosen area of art and design, building on the work and skills developed throughout the first year. You will be very much encouraged to find an independent and relevant voice that allows you to express yourself fully and respond to a variety of sources that can further inform and influence your developing practical skills and knowledge.

Finding meaningful connections to the work of others forms a fundamental part of this unit. As your work develops you should seek out meaningful and sustained connections to the work of others so that you are able to clearly identify and evaluate those artists that have had the most effect on the development and realisation of your ideas and practical work. This will take the form of a written piece of work that will run alongside your practical explorations and final pieces.

Unit 4 Art and design Externally Set 20% of the full A Level Externally set Internally marked Externally moderated Work required: Work journals 12 hour exam piece

As in the first year of the course the theme for Unit 4 is set by the exam board and takes the form of a word and set of starting-points. Past exam themes have included; objects and objectivity, transformation and boundaries.

By this stage in the course, you will have developed your own personal creative direction and visual language and this final unit is an opportunity for you to produce a body of work that not only means something to you but demonstrates fully your understanding of the processes and practices of art, craft and design to communicate your own ideas, thoughts and feelings.
During a preparatory period of around 10 weeks, you will work though the creative process whilst continuing to make connections to the work of others. This will culminate in a final piece being produced in 12 hours under exam conditions.

'An extraordinary, rich and beautiful exhibition' Moderator's report 2010 ‘A fantastic exhibition ! A high proportion of outstanding work‘ ‘An inspirational and quite stunning exhibition’ ‘A very thorough course giving an excellent experience in a range of media and approaches to image making. Work journals are particularly well used and excellent in many cases.’ summer 2010 summer 2009 summer 2008 summer 2007 summer 2006 summer 2005

What can I do with Art A level?

Studying art equips you with a whole set of transferable skills both for life and for a wide range of vocational areas. These include lateral thinking, creative problem solving, analytical and critical thinking, verbal reasoning, communication, risk taking, the ability to use your own initiative, time-management and organisation.

The course is essential for those students wishing to undertake further studies in art, craft and design related subjects. In 2010, 45% of our students progressed onto art related courses with many choosing the traditional route of studying Foundation Art and Design. This is a one year full-time course that allows you to explore a range of disciplines before deciding which specialist area you want to study at degree level.

Students from Greenhead progress to foundation courses such as; Leeds College of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University, Dewsbury and Batley College of Art, Chelsea College of Art and St Martin's College of Art (London). In recent years more and more students have decided to progress from A Level directly onto degree courses in a wide range of disciplines. (please see the destinations section of this website for further details)

Subject choices vary but have included; architecture, graphic design, fine art, textiles, fashion and photography. With institutions varying from Glasgow College of Art, Edinburgh College of Art, Ruskin School of Art, Goldsmiths and The Slade Schools of Art both at the University of Central London, Cardiff, Winchester, Northumbria, Buckinghamshire Chilterns.

More information about careers in the art and design sector can be found at the following websites;

www.ukcoursefinder.com www.design-council.org.uk www.a-n.co.uk www.craftscouncil.org.uk www.youthartsonline.org

Trips and enrichment

As a department we are passionate about seeing art first hand and finding out what is current in the world of art and design. We try to organise as many trips to galleries and exhibitions as we can. As well as visiting the Tate Gallery in Liverpool we run a 3 day trip to London. The galleries we visit will vary according to exhibitions showing at the time but the emphasis is usually on contemporary and 20th century art. In past years, we have visited Tate Modern and Tate Britain, the Whitechapel Gallery, the Serpentine Gallery, White Cube, the Royal Academy, the Hayward Gallery and the Saatchi Gallery.

We feel that the trips offer invaluable experience in terms of the support and development of individual ideas for practical work. The trips are particularly important for those students who wish to continue their studies into the A2 year but those who are studying art at AS level only are also encouraged to participate, particularly if they are considering a creative career.

Each member of staff in the art team offers enrichment courses which are open to all art and non-art students. In the past few years we have offered life drawing, experimental drawing, experimental painting, bookbinding and advanced bookbinding, photoshop and digital imaging, creative textiles and creative fashion as well as costume design and making and poster and programme design for the annual theatrical production.

What our students think

‘I am eternally grateful for everything the course and its staff have given me and would therefore recommend the course to any student with an honest passion for art and can’t think of a better creative environment for them to grow in.’

‘I’ve had a wonderful learning experience and a hugely enjoyable two years. You’ve set me up for uni brilliantly.’

‘I really felt the best was brought out of me and that is mostly down to my teacher; but also because I felt I could talk to anyone about anything I was unsure of.’

'The department is such a pleasant and friendly place to work in.'

'I feel that this course really promotes independent working and really allows you to apply your own ideas and working style'.

'If I could give 11s and 12s out of 10 I would! The course staff and general ethos of the department has been truly inspirational'.

'A very enjoyable and positively challenging course, allows real personal development and incredible maturity within the two years'.

Quotes from end of course questionnaires