Sculpture

Sculpture is an enjoyable and rewarding subject. Students will gain valuable skills such as independence, analytical thinking, creativity, ingenuity, innovation and aesthetic awareness. They will learn to appreciate, understand and analyse Art and Design pieces, and initiate and develop their own project concepts. The course gives students the freedom to explore and express their own interests and ideas.

There are far more job roles on offer in the creative industries than you might realise. With plentiful opportunities and a diverse pathway of exciting areas to specialise in, why not seek to combine what you enjoy doing with your future career? Sculpture is a highly suitable course for anyone interested in pursuing art and areas such as fashion, architecture, furniture design, jewellery, animation model making, prop making, threedimensional design, installation, ceramics and fine art sculpture, to name but a few.

Course content and assessment

We follow the Edexcel Art, Craft and Design syllabus. Students follow a linear A Level course spending the first four terms working on coursework which carries 60% of their overall marks. They commence work on their externally set assignment at the start of the Lent Term in the Upper Sixth with a 15-hour examination in the Summer Term and this carries the remaining 40% of their overall marks. Students may have the option to study Art, Craft and Design as a part time AS Level, with their exam in the Summer Term of Upper Sixth.

The Art, Craft and Design course requires students to work in more than one discipline such as Fine Art sculptures and 3D ceramic design, giving students a broader base of application for their work in functional and non-functional contexts. Many students work primarily in ceramics because of the versatility of clay, but students also explore materials such as plaster, wire, paper, fabric, plastic, resin, wax and glass, amongst others. Students are taught hand-built ceramics techniques, such as slab and coil built work, sculpting techniques, mould making and slip casting. Students are encouraged to take inspiration from a range of artists and adopt an experimental approach to their use of media. All students are also issued with an art kit containing oil paints, acrylics, chalk pastels, tonal chalks, oil pastels, watercolours, acrylics and colouring pencils in addition to the three-dimensional studio materials provided, and are expected to use a variety of media throughout the course.

The critical studies element of the course is also very important and students evaluate and make three-dimensional transcriptions of the work of individually chosen artists, which enriches and informs their own work. Students must complete a written personal study of 3,000 words to accompany their coursework portfolio. This study includes analytical responses to the artists in relation to their own work.

Students are encouraged to choose their own theme or starting point for their coursework project, with guidance from their teacher. The teaching approach is personalised and tutorial based, with the dialogue between teacher and student central to the process, to enable students to work with growing independence and self-direction.

Facilities and staff

The Sculpture studio is equipped with a kiln for earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain firings which can also be used for slumped and fused glass work. There is a second small kiln for enamelling. All equipment and materials, including all clay, glazes, and lustres, are provided to students without charge, with nominal charges only made to students if they individually require specialist expensive materials to be ordered. All aspects of the course are taught by specialists in their field.

Potential careers

Architect, ceramicist, fashion designer, interior designer, craftsperson, jeweller, conservator, museum curator, special effects makeup, public artist, furniture maker, visual designer, theatre designer, art valuer/ auctioneer, art teacher or lecturer.

Entry Requirements

Grade 6 (or B) in GCSE Art or Sculpture.

Course Offered

A Level OCR Art, Craft and Design