The Perse School Cambridge

• Curriculum
  • Subject choices
  • Requirements for university
• Subjects
  • Art
    • Gallery
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Classical Civilisation
  • Design and Technology
  • Economics
  • English Literature
  • French
  • General Studies
  • Geography
  • German
  • Greek
  • History
  • Italian
  • Latin
  • Mathematics
  • Music
  • Philosophy
  • Physical Education
  • Physics
  • Politics
  • Psychology
  • Religious Studies
  • Spanish
• Pastoral care
• School life
• Extra-curricular
• Academic success
  • Exam results
  • University destinations
• University advice

• Why Art?
• AS level
• A2 level
• Activities
• Exam results
• Reading

The A2 course has two units and follows on from the AS course.

1. Personal Investigation F431 ( 60% of the A2 mark)
2. Controlled Assignment F441 ( 40% of the A2 mark)

Personal Investigation F431

Coursework takes the form of one unit. The emphasis of this year is depth of study whilst building upon skills learnt at AS level. Students are asked to identify an area of practical study that they could develop; this will be based on media and ideas that they have enjoyed or found success with at AS level. While the process is still important, the quality of the end product has greater emphasis. Students undertake contextual research in the form of a written Personal Investigation unit which is between 1000 and 3000 words.

Controlled Assignment F441

Students are given an early release exam paper with around 15 starting points. After choosing one starting point students will then work independently for six weeks developing, experimenting and refining their ideas under the advice of their teachers. At the end of this period they will undertake a fifteen hour exam where students will make their planned artwork.

At AS and A Level the year concludes with an exhibition, where all students present their work to celebrate their achievements.

Homework and assessment

At AS students are required to complete 4 hours of homework each week and at A2 students complete 5 hours. This will include written research, practical work, reading and visiting galleries. Homework is marked on a weekly basis with both written feedback and grades. Students write homework into a record sheet in their sketchbooks and their teachers provide feedback directly on to this record sheet. Verbal feedback may be on a one to one basis or as part of a group critique.