Art, Graphics & Photography

Our A Level Art, Graphics and Photography courses develop your creativity, confidence and critical thinking. You will explore themes, experiment with techniques and materials, and produce original work supported by expert teachers and specialist technicians.

How You Learn

You work independently in response to themes and questions, recording your ideas in a sketchbook or digital book and researching artists who inspire your practice. Alongside developing your technical skills, you learn how to present and curate your own work.

Trips to London galleries and exhibitions — including Tate, The National Gallery, The Portrait Gallery, Design Museum, Somerset House, the London Illustration Fair and D&AD New Blood — provide vital inspiration and expand your understanding of art in a wider context.

Throughout the course, you are supported by an experienced team of teachers and technical staff who help you grow as a creative practitioner.

Entry Requirements

• Grade 6 or above at GCSE in Art, Graphics, Photography or Design & Technology.
• External applicants also submit a GCSE portfolio.

Art at A Level requires commitment, curiosity, and a willingness to experiment and reflect.

What the Course Involves

At Bishop Wordsworth’s we offer three A Levels within Art and Design:

• Graphic Communication
• Art, Craft & Design
• Photography

Your first project sets the foundation:

• Art and Photography – theme of Structures, focusing on drawing, documentary photography and personal creative responses.
• Graphics – theme of Branding, introducing digital art, Photoshop, Illustrator, photography and editing.

From the end of Year 12 until February in Year 13, you complete your Personal Investigation (Component 1, 60%). This includes a portfolio and a written statement of intent. The course concludes with Component 2: Externally Set Assignment (40%), which begins in February.

How You Are Assessed

• Component 1: Personal Investigation (60%) – portfolio plus written assignment (1,000–3,000 words).
• Component 2: Externally Set Assignment (40%) – exam board theme with preparatory work and final outcome.

Assessment is based on four objectives:

1. Developing ideas through sustained investigation.
2. Exploring and refining materials, techniques and processes.
3. Recording observations and reflecting critically.
4. Presenting a personal and meaningful response.

Creative Pathways

These A Levels prepare you for a wide range of creative futures, from fine art and illustration to architecture, product design and digital media. Many students progress to a Foundation Diploma in Art and Design or continue directly to specialist art degrees.