Art and Design
Attleborough Academy
9 Norwich Road, Attleborough, Norfolk, NR17 2AJ
GCE A/AS Level or Equivalent
Level 3
Available start dates
Available start dates
Tuesday, 01 September 2026
Attleborough Academy Norfolk
2 Year(s)
Full time
Daytime/working hours
Application Instructions
Thank you for choosing to apply for Attleborough Sixth Form - for further information about our courses, please refer to the course guide on our website.
Applications made before 01 January will be considered while blocking subjects for our timetable. If you apply after this date, the blocking for subjects will have already been determined. If the subjects you have chosen do not fit into the blocking, you will be notified as soon as possible, to arrange a conversation with our Sixth Form team in order to discuss alternatives.
Course Details
If you have an interest in, enthusiasm for and enjoyment of art, craft and design with intellectual, imaginative, creative and intuitive capabilities then A level Art & Design is the subject to study.
Following the EDEXCEL 8ADO/9ADO specification, you will work under the same four assessment objects for each component: Skills, Recording and Research, The Creative Process and Outcomes. You will show technical manipulation of media; visual literacy, control of formal elements. Primary and secondary recording of visual reference material will enable you to develop research and understanding of contextual references that are relevant to intentions. Throughout your portfolio of work you will explore ideas, techniques and media, reviewing and refining throughout; generating ideas through investigation. You will be able to bring together investigations in relation to creative intentions to realise and produce final outcome(s).
Component 1: Personal Investigation
This component allows students opportunities to generate and develop ideas, research primary and contextual sources, record practical and written observations, experiment with media and processes, and refine ideas towards producing resolved outcome(s).
This will involve:
- developing ideas
- exploring media, developing and applying skills
- researching, recording, analysing and reviewing
- creating and presenting outcome(s).
Overview of assessment
Incorporates three major elements: supporting studies, practical work, and a personal study.
Supporting studies and practical work will comprise a portfolio of development work and outcomes based on themes and ideas developed from personal starting points. The personal study will be evidenced through critical written communication showing contextual research and understanding in a minimum 1000 words of continuous prose, which may contain integrated images.
Work must cover all four Assessment Objectives and be marked using the criteria in the assessment grid.
Marks available: 55.
Component 2: Externally Set Assignment
This component allows students opportunities to generate and develop ideas, research primary and contextual sources, record practical and written observations, experiment with media and processes, and refine ideas towards producing resolved outcome(s) in response to an externally set theme.
This will involve:
- developing ideas
- exploring media, developing and applying skills
- researching, recording, analysing and reviewing
- creating and presenting outcome(s).
Students must continue to work within the same title as component 1.
Overview of assessment
Incorporates two major elements: preparatory studies and the 15 hour period of sustained focus. Preparatory studies will comprise of a portfolio of practical and written development work based on the Externally Set Assignment. During the 15 hour period of sustained focus, students will produce final outcome(s) extending from their preparatory studies in response to the externally Set Assignment, under examination conditions. The Externally Set Assignment is released on 1 February and contains a theme and suggested starting points. Students have from 1 February until the commencement of the final 15 hour period of sustained focus to develop preparatory work.Entry requirements
GCSE Art 5 | English Language 4
Progression into the second year of the course is reliant on students achieving a minimum D grade in the End of Year 1 Exam.
Your next steps...
Art & Design combines well many subjects particularly Maths, Biology, Geology, Graphics, Product Design and Hair and Beauty. It provides an excellent foundation for many careers and degree courses including Advertising, Archaeology, Cartoonist, Illustrator, Photography, Theatre Design, Beautician, Fashion Designer, Florist, Architect, Movie Making and Teaching.
For more courses like this, check our courses page.