Entry Requirements
Grade 6 in Art-related GCSE course or Portfolio
Exam Board
AQA
Why Choose Fine Art or Graphics?
Fine Art is a highly creative and exciting subject, which enables you to develop a portfolio of work, which is essential if you wish to pursue a career in Architecture, Fine Art or any other Design related university degree. If you have an interest in Fine Art then this is the course for you, as you will engage in a wide range of artistic tasks in drawing, painting, mixed media, sculpture, installation, photography and printmaking. You will be encouraged to broaden your artistic skills through a series of workshops in order to work independently developing your own ideas investigating a wide range of traditional and contemporary artists. You will learn a variety of new art techniques on a variety of scales in order for you to develop your own independent work, with the opportunity to visit art galleries and exhibitions throughout the course.
The graphics industry offers many exciting careers for the ambitious and hardworking. If you have an interest in Graphic Design then Graphics is the course for you as it will give you exposure to different aspects of Graphic Communication. This will enable you to develop skills in a variety of disciplines and demonstrate your understanding of these contexts. Your ideas and designs will be produced using both traditional and new technologies. If you enjoy being creative and developing your own design work, this course enables you to produce highly original final pieces and gain further understanding of both contemporary artists and designers.
What is Involved?
The AQA A-level Art - Fine Art or Graphics is a two-year course and is similar to the GCSE course.
In Year 12, you will develop a portfolio of work through one set theme for example Body Language or Music and Fashion. This involves working in areas specific to your chosen specialism (e.g. Art includes drawing, painting, photography while Graphics uses typography, logo design and promotional branding). You will be encouraged to broaden your artistic and design skills through a series of workshops in order to work independently. You will develop your own ideas in a sketchbook and then produce creative final artwork whilst further advancing your skills in the presentation of your own work. You will investigate historical and contemporary practices of artists with the opportunities to visit art galleries and exhibitions during the course. If you are taking just the AS course then there will be an externally set assignment.
In the second year of the course, you will gain more independence as the course progresses, which will lead to a personal investigation and an externally set assignment in any area of Fine Art or Graphics.
examination results
of A-level students achieved grades A*-B
of A-level students achieved grades A*-C
of A-level students achieved grades A*-E
what we've been up to...
Northwest ESAA Track and Field
This week saw some of our Year 9 and 10 athletics’ stars head to the Northwest ESAA Track and Field Championships in Manchester. An extremely successful outing means they are now off to the National Finals in Essex. Well done girls we are very proud of you all.
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Trial Expedition 2023
86 WKGS students spent the weekend in Wales completing their trial expedition for the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award. With such beautiful weather a good time was had by all learning essential skills for survival in the open air!
Spanish Exchange
The Spanish Department resumed 2019’s successful student exchange with our partner secondary school, IES Garcilaso de la Vega a mixed secondary school located in Torrelavega, a town in Cantabria in northern Spain: The Spanish Exchange presents students with a unique opportunity to improve their spoken Spanish and see Spanish daily life at first hand. Students from Calday Grammar School collaborated with us and students were accompanied by teaching staff from West Kirby Grammar School and Calday Grange Grammar School. The Spanish students hosted their English partners and a programme of events was organised during the school day for the visiting students. The students visited Santander, experienced a day at the Altamira Museum, an exact replica of the Altamira Caves with Palaeolithic cave paintings. They took part in a workshop in which they learned how to make and throw spears to hunt deer and bison. This was followed by a visit to Santillana del Mar. During their visit they also visited El Soplao, a site of great geographical importance, and the beautiful Santillana del Mar and the Parque Naturaleza de Carbaceno.
Year 12 North West Regional Forum European Youth Parliament at L
The North West European Forum 2023 is one of the fourteen regional EYP forums which take place in the UK, with many more taking place in other countries. There were a number of debates throughout the day. The forum gave students an opportunity to debate a range of topics affecting young people across Europe. Two schools were selected at this regional forum and to also send a team of eight students over the age of sixteen to either the Summer or Autumn National Selection Conference, held at Liverpool Hope University for a long weekend in July 2023. Big well done to both of our EYP teams who performed at a consistently high standard throughout the debates. Special congratulations to our 2nd team who made it through to the national finals in July!
With one more week to go, we are really looking forward to our first #WKGS PTA Quiz / Fish & Chips Night. Tickets are still available from: ticketsource.co.uk/west-kirby-gra… https://t.co/bsxLFRr7Ko
We are very proud of Mia, Grace, Peggy and Hannah (#WKGSY12) who have made the finals of the Samsung 'Solve for Tomorrow' competition. They have made the last 5 in their age group. We wish them the best of luck for their final pitch which takes place next month. https://t.co/LIrkB9eLik
We are very proud of Mia, Grace, Peggy and Hannah (#WKGSY12) who have made the finals of the Samsung 'Solve for Tomorrow' competition. They have made the last 5 in their age group. We wish them the best of luck for their final pitch which takes place next month. https://t.co/5OJXnqatwU
A photo stop on the Great Wall of China, July 2015 for this week's #ThrowbackThursday https://t.co/Wp4YLzTHlA
We are delighted to announce the release of the second episode of our WKGS Student Podcast. Episode 2 will be live on Friday 28th April and will feature local artist (and former #WKGS student) Michael Aldag. Subscribe to our Student Podcast now at: spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/ogLOQbBw7yb https://t.co/u2O0Brp90O
Congratulations to Mia (#WKGSY12) and her horse MS Mastro who competed in the National Schools Equestrian Association dressage at Kelsall Hill. Mia won her Novice class and has qualified for the National Championships at Hickstead in May. We wish Mia every success. https://t.co/qiK2vL2FmG
Congratulations to Mia (#WKGSY12) and her horse MS Mastro who competed in the National Schools Equestrian Association dressage at Kelsall Hill. Mia won her Novice class and has qualified for the National Championships at Hickstead in May. We wish Mia every success. https://t.co/r3ADJ8ZnP4
A walk to Hilbre Island with German Exchange partners (around 1994) for this week's #ThrowbackThursday https://t.co/dYjHAwt6TU
It's back to 2018 for this week's #ThrowbackThursday for a Student Fashion Show.... https://t.co/uiNwudPObr
Drama visit to Paris
Students from our GCSE Drama group visited Paris to see a theatre production and take part in a Drama workshop. They also had the fantastic opportunity to experience a guided backstage tour of the Opera Garnier, the inspiration for Phantom of the Oprea. The visit included a guided tour of Paris exploring the sights and shops; they saw a production of the Lion King – The Musical at Théâtre Mogador and enjoyed a day in Disneyland Paris.
Wishing our students and staff a happy Easter break. All year groups will return on Monday 17th April which will be a Week A. https://t.co/IbnomcGX4a