Art allows us to observe, creatively interpret and begin to understand the world around us. It also allows us to create a whole new world with the Art that we make; uniquely developing and broadening our personal growth and social awareness.

What We Study

The subject provides opportunities to become visually and aesthetically literate. It allows students to be expressive in an imaginative and creative way, encouraging independence and building self-confidence. Students will learn to perceive, react, talk, analyse, judge and value Art. Students will have opportunities to explore a variety of mediums and styles such as drawing, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture. To succeed at this level, students need a very high standard of skill in a variety of mediums and disciplines as well as an ability to analyse and research. There is a strong emphasis on realistic drawing and painting, as well as making creative experimentation and taking risks to develop unique works of Art. 

In Year 12, students are given the opportunity to explore and build their confidence in a variety of mediums and techniques at a very high level. The first two terms explore working with drawing, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture within an interesting theme to develop through exciting investigations and critical understanding.

Moving into Year 13, students will create their Personal Project, where they will develop their own artistic voice through more independent choices and ideas about the subject matter, mediums and styles they use. Along with their Personal Study, they will write a Personal Study essay, which is an analytical essay that goes alongside their practical artwork theme choices. The A-Level qualification culminates an Exam Project, where students develop their final project independently using the strong skills they have developed in terms of technique and creativity based on a title of Edexcel’s choosing.

Beyond the Classroom

Sacred Heart A-Level Art students have the excellent benefit of decided and multi-specialism teachers, as well as an Art studio just for A-Level Art students that can be used in study periods, lunchtimes and after school.

Beyond the studio, they will visit interesting exhibitions at galleries such as The Tate and The Royal Academy to experience artwork in the flesh and build up their knowledge about a range of different artists. They will also take part in workshops given by visiting artists, where they will get to experience making interesting artworks with artists.

They will benefit from our partnership with St Paul’s Girls’ school where they can access regular after-school life drawing classes and artist talks for free to develop their observational drawing skills and knowledge of a range of artists.

Art students will be given the opportunity and support to enter prestigious local and national Art competitions. Our students have taken part in The Sovereign Art Foundation Student Art Prize London, The Royal Academy Young Artist competition and Chelsea College Flora and Fauna in London competition.

Our A-Level Art students are given leadership opportunities to support Key Stage 3 Art lessons and extra-curricular clubs. These are fantastic opportunities to develop leadership, planning and presentation skills.

All our many students that wish to continue their Art study beyond Sixth Form by applying for Art-related courses will be given personalised support in applications, the creation of their portfolio and interview preparation by their dedicated, experienced and specialist teachers.

Where it might lead

A large quantity of our A Level Fine Art students choose to study Art beyond A Level. Some of them choose a foundation year at art schools such Central Saint Martins, City and Guilds or Camberwell. Others choose to apply straight for a degree course in an Art related subject such as Fine Art, Graphic Design, Game Design, Fashion Design and Architecture. All of these students are supported by their A Level Art teacher in preparing their applications, portfolios and for interviews for these Art related courses.

There are numerous Art and Design related careers from theatre to fashion to product design to game design to architecture just to name a few. Furthermore, creativity and imagination that comes from Art study will prove advantageous in careers such as advertising and marketing. The creative industries are currently booming and ever expanding and an Art A Level provides the technical and creative skills that are the stepping stones to this plethora of interesting and exciting careers.