Art & Design - Fine Art

Applications Open: - Now

Applications Close: - Friday 13th February 2026 (This is the official deadline, when planning for the new timetable will begin; however, applications may still be accepted after this date.)

Entry Requirements: - 6 GCSE passes at Grade 5+, including a minimum of Grade 5 in Mathematics and English.

How to Apply: - Apply via KentChoices

Why study this subject?

The AQA A-Level course in Art and Design (Fine Art) has been designed to encourage an adventurous and enquiring approach. Successful students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of past and contemporary art and design practice and be able to produce artworks that embrace a range of ideas. Drawing is an essential part of the course, explored and developed through a range of media, including access to and tuition in the use of our impressive printmaking facilities. In order to encourage independent study, the department has an open access Sixth Form Studio in which students can display imagery, work and access resources outside of lessons and during private study periods.

The Fine Art course at Manwood’s places great emphasis on observational recording (drawing, photography, etc.) and on the process of independent, creative development and exploration of media and techniques. Teachers encourage and support students to work as individual practising artists – developing their own ideas as creatively and thoroughly as possible through the exploration of both conventional and unconventional techniques and processes. Students’ projects will therefore range greatly in themes and styles and visitors to the Art Studios will typically find some students working on large paintings, whilst others are working on mixed media prints in the printmaking studio and others are working on mixed media sculptures.

To support their studies further, students will attend a life-drawing workshop at the Wallace Collection in London to build up a portfolio of observational figure work to accompany their coursework project. The department has also developed close links with local galleries and art communities, resulting in public exhibitions of student work outside of school in and around the local area.

Component 1: Personal Investigation

The personal investigation should be a coherent, in-depth practical study, supported by a written element (see below). Each student must include in their portfolio:

• One extended collection of work or project based on an idea, issue, concept or theme, supported by written material. The focus of the investigation must be identified independently by the student, it should include evidence of their ability to research and develop ideas and must lead to a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes.

• A coherent and logically structured written response of between 1000 and 3000 words of continuous prose.

Component 2: Externally Set Assignment

Question papers, set by AQA in February, will consist of a choice of 8 themes to be used as starting points, from which students must select one. The project lasts until the students begin their 15-hour exam (spread over 3 school days) in early May. During these 15 hours, students must produce a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes informed by their preparatory work.

Component 1: Personal Investigation

60% of the A Level qualification

All the work submitted for this component will be marked as a whole, using 4 assessment objectives:

● AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.

● AO2: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops.

● AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress.

● AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements.

Component 2: Externally Set Assignment

40% of the A Level qualification

All the work submitted for this component will be marked as a whole, using the same 4 assessment objectives as used in the portfolio component (see above).

GCSE grade 5 in Art or 5 in related subject (eg Technology).