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A-Level Art

Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working

Pablo Picasso

Fine Art A Level at Brampton College: Transform Ideas into Powerful Visual Stories

There is no more misunderstood subject at A level than Art. Can’t draw? Take it from us, Art is not about having or acquiring technical skills. It’s about learning creative processes and methods of investigation – learning to develop the confidence to freely experiment, to imagine and test new ways of making something, to explore new possibilities and find new solutions. These skills are crucial not just to the ‘creative industries’, but to STEM industries too.

At Brampton College, our A Level Fine Art programme empowers students to unlock their creative potential through dynamic, multidisciplinary artistic exploration. In today’s fast-paced, visually driven world, art is more than aesthetics, it’s a language for communicating complex ideas, responding to society, and pushing boundaries.

Our Art Department nurtures a space where creativity, independence, and innovation thrive. You’ll be encouraged to experiment boldly, think critically, and develop your unique artistic voice. Whether you’re planning to pursue a creative career or want to enhance your application for a STEM degree with a powerful and distinctive set of skills.

If you’re searching for a top sixth form college in London for A Level Fine Art, Brampton offers expert guidance, inspiring mentorship, and an outstanding record of students progressing to prestigious Art Foundation and Architecture courses across the UK.

Why Study A Level Fine Art at Brampton College?

The department supports visiting artists and teachers and is keen to make connections with other schools. Recent graduates from the Royal Academy Schools have visited the department to offer one to one tutorials with students. This gave students real contact with young emerging artists and enabled them to gain an insight into studying at art school. We also annually participate in the Royal Academy Outreach Programme which consists of a one day life drawing workshop, allowing students to work from the unclothed figure in a challenging and diverse way.

A Gateway to Creative Industries

Many students take A level Art to boost their STEM degree applications, while the UK’s creative industries employ over 2 million and are among the fastest-growing sectors. Studying A Level Art develops essential skills like visual analysis, independent thinking, and creative problem-solving, all sought after in design, architecture, marketing, gaming, publishing, film, and digital media.

At Brampton, Fine Art students develop both technical precision and conceptual depth. You’ll explore a wide range of media, drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, mixed media, and textiles, while also building reflective, analytical, and research skills through sketchbooks, artist studies, and written components.

Global Exposure Through Cultural Immersion

Every year, students have the opportunity to travel abroad to explore iconic art cities, from New York to Venice to Berlin, broadening their understanding of global art movements, gallery spaces, and historical context. These trips are transformative moments that shape personal expression and expand cultural awareness.

A Course That Builds Life Skills

Art at A Level isn’t just about making beautiful things. It teaches risk-taking, time management, independent study, and critical evaluation, skills that prepare you for university success and future professional life, whether or not you pursue a creative career.

Why Choose Fine Art A Level?

Fine Art is not just for aspiring artists, it’s for future architects, product designers, film directors, interior stylists, curators, advertising professionals, and more. Creative thinking is essential across industries, and A Level Art gives students the visual literacy, research ability, and original thinking that modern employers and universities seek.

Skills You’ll Build:

● Technical mastery in traditional and digital media

● Portfolio preparation and presentation

● Creative risk-taking and experimentation

● Visual and cultural analysis

● Research and contextual understanding

● Independent time and project management

What You’ll Study: Fine Art A Level Course Overview (AQA Specification)

Year 1 – Foundation, Exploration, and Skill Development

In the first year, students follow a structured and integrated programme that combines technical workshops with visual research, theory, and experimentation. Emphasis is placed on:

● Developing technical skills in multiple media

● Using sketchbooks for research and reflective practice

● Exploring formal elements like composition, tone, texture, and space

● Responding to artists, themes, and movements

By the end of the year, students begin developing ideas for their Personal Investigation, a unit that allows for deeper creative direction and personal expression.

Year 2 – Specialisation, Refinement, and Personal Voice

The second year allows students to specialise and refine their artistic direction, continuing with their Personal Investigation. This includes:

● A sustained practical project in their chosen media

● A critical written element (1,000–3,000 words) reflecting on ideas, influences, and process

● The development of a clear, coherent body of work that expresses individual vision

From February, students begin Component 2, an externally set assignment that culminates in a 15-hour final practical exam, showcasing their ability to realise ideas under timed conditions.

AQA Fine Art A Level Components:

● Component 1: Personal Investigation – 60% of the final grade

● Component 2: Externally Set Assignment – 40% of the final grade

Art Departmental Features and Enrichment

The department frequently hosts visiting artists and recent graduates from leading institutions such as the Royal Academy Schools. These visitors offer students one-on-one critiques and insight into life as a working artist, helping them prepare strong portfolios for Art Foundation applications.

Life Drawing and Royal Academy Outreach

Brampton is proud to participate annually in the Royal Academy Outreach Programme, where students attend life drawing workshops, a unique opportunity to explore the human form, develop observational accuracy, and enhance their portfolio in a challenging and enriching environment.

School Partnerships and Network Building

We actively collaborate with other schools and departments to create cross-disciplinary art experiences, exhibitions, and joint projects. The Art Department promotes peer feedback, creative dialogue, and a studio-like atmosphere where students are inspired to push their boundaries.

Hannah Hewetson

Position:

Head of Art

Qualifications:

BA(Hons), MFA, PGCE

Hannah teaches on all the art courses and is a practising artist. She studied Fine Art at The Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art and Glasgow School of Art. Hannah was also chosen to be included in ‘100 Painters of Tomorrow’, a publication from Thames & Hudson. 100 Painters of Tomorrow was the result of a major new project to find the 100 most exciting, up-and-coming painters at work today. Hannah has been selected from more than 4,000 entrants, coming from over 30 countries.

Adam Bainbridge

Position:

Art

Qualifications:

BA(Hons), MA, PGCE

Adam studied Fine Art at both the Royal College of Art and the Slade School of Fine Art before completing a PGCE to begin teaching. He has exhibited in New Contemporaries and the Jerwood Drawing Prize and specialises in painting and drawing.

A level Results

2024	A*/A Grades	A*-B Grades
	88%	100%

Students have been awarded places at top University art departments including the prestigious University of the Arts colleges – Chelsea, Central Saint Martins and The London College of Fashion. Students have also gained places further afield at The School of visual Arts and Parsons School of Design in New York.