Sixth Form
Art
Art and visual culture shape how we perceive, interpret, and communicate with the world around us, empowering students to challenge conventions, express profound ideas, and visually design our collective future.
At Ryde you can study Fine Art and Textiles at A Level, Visual Art at IBDP and BTEC Art and Design.
Why Study Art?
Studying Art, encompassing Fine Art, Textiles A Levels, IB Visual Arts and BTEC Art and Design at Ryde School offer a dynamic and deeply expressive pathway for students passionate about visual communication, creative experimentation and personal identity.
Studying art at Ryde can lead to rewarding degrees and careers in fields such as fine art, graphic design, architecture, gallery curation, and the creative industries. Here, students do not just study art; they learn to think like pioneering artists and visual communicators, equipped with the technical expertise, creative resilience, and critical self-reflection needed to shape the cultural and visual landscape of tomorrow’s world.
Courses Available
Fine Art will demonstrate an understanding and application of formal elements and creative skills. Students will use visual communication sensitively and thoughtfully to document their artistic journey and fully support their intentions. Students will be inspired and explore creativity. Fine Art requires engagement with artistic and intellectual concepts through a range of materials, techniques and processes.
Entry Requirements
GCSE Art & Design Grade 6 or above. Students who have not studied
Art and Design at GCSE will be considered on an individual basis following a discussion with the Head of Art.
Where can this Subject take you?
Animators, Architects, Art gallery curators, Art therapists, Fashion designers, Fine Artists, Graphic designers, Illustrators, Interior designers, Photographers, Stylists, Product designers, Set designers, Visual merchandisers, Web designers.
A LEVEL FINE ART Edexcel Art & Design
Course Content/Structure
Component 1: Personal Investigation
A skills-based project exploring a wide range of materials and media, developing a practical and personal investigation leading to multiple outcomes within their specialism and problem solving. Through use of a sketch book, developing and exploring ideas students will reach a final outcome which visually resolves their personal theme.
Component 2: External set assessment
A timed 8 week personal investigation into a given theme by the exam board, developing and exploring ideas, materials and possible outcomes, resulting in a 15 hour timed exam to create a final outcome.
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.
Assessment
Component 1: This will count for 60% of your total A Level marks.
Component 2: This will count for 40% of your total A Level marks.
Textile Design is a versatile practice that involves the creation, selection, manipulation and application of a range of materials such as fibres, yarns and fabrics, and processes such as weaving, knitting, stitching and printing to create designs and products. Textile designers work in multi-disciplinary ways to create ideas, materials and techniques for different applications. Textile designers also play an important role in the world of fashion, theatre, performance and retail.
Students will also understand that Textile Design practitioners may work within a team environment in a large commercial manufacturing company, on a single aspect of the design or making process, or work as freelance practitioners on commissions or self-directed projects. They will need good communication skills in order to liaise with clients and to promote themselves as textiles designers and makers.
Entry Requirements
GCSE Art & Design Grade 6 or above. Students who have not studied Art and Design at GCSE will be considered on an individual basis following a discussion with the Head of Art.
Where can this Subject take you?
Fashion designers, Illustrators, Interior designers, Stylists, Product Designers, Print Makers, Set Designers, Textile Designers, Visual merchandisers, Web designers.
A LEVEL TEXTILES Edexcel Art & Design
Course Content/Structure
Component 1: Personal InvestigationA skills-based project exploring a wide range of materials and media, developing a practical and personal investigation leading to multiple outcomes within their specialism and problem solving. Through use of a sketch book, developing and exploring ideas students will reach a final outcome which visually resolves their personal theme.
Component 2: External set assessment
A timed 8 week investigation into a given theme, preparing for a 15 hour exam.
Assessment Objectives
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.
Assessment
Component 1: This will count for 60% of your total A Level marks.
Component 2: This will count for 40% of your total A Level marks.
Visual arts are an integral part of our daily lives. They have social, political, ritual, spiritual, decorative and functional values. The theories and practices of visual arts are dynamic and ever-changing, connecting different areas of knowledge and human experience. Visual arts enable us to make sense of the world, to explore our place within it, and to transform our individual and collective ways of being in and with the world. In this visual arts course students learn how to create, communicate and connect as artists.
As part of the visual arts course students learn to employ curiosity, creativity and dialogue to openly engage with the self, the world and others. They develop the skills to work independently, persist and repurpose, reflect critically and communicate effectively and with coherence as visual artists.
Entry Requirements
GCSE Art & Design Grade 6 or above. Students who have not studied Art and Design at GCSE will be considered on an individual basis following a discussion with the Head of Art.
Where can this Subject take you?
Animators, Architects, Art gallery curators, Art therapists, Fashion designers, Fine Artists, Graphic designers, Illustrators, Interior designers, Photographers, Stylists, Product designers, Set designers, Visual merchandisers, Web designers.
AWARD IBDP & IBCP Visual Arts (Group 6)
Course Content/Structure
Higher Level
Art Making Inquiries Portfolio 30%
One PDF file of up to 15 screens including visual evidence accompanied by written materials. The total word count must not exceed 3,000 words. One separate text file listing the sources.
Artist Project 30%
One PDF file of up to 12 screens including visual evidence and supporting written materials. The total word count must not exceed 2,500 words and the student must comply with the exact word counts set for each section.
One video file up to three minutes long presenting the project artwork realised in the chosen context. The video is submitted accompanied by the artwork details and a short text with the finalized artistic intentions (100 words maximum). One separate text file listing the sources.
Selected Resolved Artworks 40%
Five image or video files (each up to three minutes long) of artworks – each accompanied by a title and details on medium and size. Two optional supporting image files per artwork can be submitted to show details or additional views. One PDF file of up to eight screens including the rationale (which must not exceed 700 words) and five artwork texts (with a total word count not exceeding 1,000 words).
Standard Level
Art Making Inquiries Portfolio 40%
One PDF file of up to 15 screens including visual evidence accompanied by written materials. The total word count must not exceed 3,000 words.
One separate text file listing the sources.
Connections Study 20%
One PDF file of up to 10 screens including visual evidence and supporting written materials. The total word count must not exceed 2,500 words.
One separate text file listing the sources.
Resolved Artworks 40%
Five image or video files (each up to three minutes long) of artworks—each accompanied by a title and details on medium and size. Two optional supporting image files per artwork can be submitted to show details or additional views.
One PDF file of up to two screens for the rationale (which must not exceed 700 words).
BTEC Art and Design is an opportunity for learners to understand more about the scope of art and design and develop knowledge of the creative process in a professional context. Each unit develops artwork in a vocational environment and looks at professional practice.
Students develop art and design projects and gain an understanding of the creative process. They study visual recording and communication, critical analysis and production skills to produce art and design outcomes.
Entry Requirements
GCSE Art & Design Grade 5 or above. Students who have not studied Art and Design at GCSE will be considered on an individual basis following a discussion with the Head of Art.
Taken as part of the IBCP and must be taken with either 2 Higher Level IB subjects or 3 Standard Level subjects
Where can this Subject take you?
Animators, Architects, Art gallery curators, Art therapists, Fashion designers, Fine Artists, Graphic designers, Illustrators, Interior designers, Photographers, Stylists, Product designers, Set designers, Visual merchandisers, Web designers.
Award
BTEC (IBCP ONLY)
BTEC National, Level 3 Extended certificate in Art and Design (60 Credits)
Course Content/Structure
Six units over two years, four mandatory units and two chosen by the department according to the strengths of the students.
The four mandatory units:
Visual Recording and Communication
In this unit, you will develop your visual recording and communication skills through exploration and experimentation with materials and methods. You will extend your skills through exploring the work of others, ongoing personal reflection and the refinement of your own work.
Critical and Contextual Studies in Art and Design
In this unit, you will develop contextual research and critical analysis skills. You will learn how to critically analyse pieces of art and design work, deconstructing images and thinking critically about what you see.
The Creative Process
In this unit, you will explore the activities within the creative process. You will develop ideas through use of materials, techniques and processes, refining your ideas and reviewing your working practices. You will explore ways to present your work and understand the importance of self-reflection and evaluation as an ongoing process. You will apply your
own creative process to a piece of art and design work, reflecting on what you have learned to help inform your future practice.
Materials, Techniques and Processes in Art and Design
In this unit, you will investigate different art and design materials, techniques and processes. You will then select specific materials to investigate in more depth. You will apply your knowledge and skills to a brief, ensuring key health and safety procedures are followed. Finally you will review your progress, making plans to further develop your art and design skills.
Assessment
Four of the six units are internally assessed by the department and will be graded as Distinction, Merit or Pass.
Only two units are externally assessed. The final grade will be expressed as a Distinction*, Distinction, Merit or Pass.