AQA A level Art and Design. Aim for A* Support Guide

Aspiring to an A* in AQA A Level Art & Design | Student Success Guide
Help your A Level Art & Design students understand exactly what is expected of them if they are aiming for the highest levels of achievement.
This detailed, student-friendly guide has been written specifically to support students following the AQA A Level Art & Design specification. Rather than offering vague advice about simply producing “better artwork”, it breaks successful A Level practice down into clear, achievable behaviours linked directly to the four AQA Assessment Objectives: AO1, AO2, AO3 and AO4.
Students are encouraged to understand that outstanding A Level Art is about much more than producing an impressive final piece. The resource emphasises the importance of sustained investigation, meaningful artist research, experimentation, primary recording, critical reflection, refinement, personal ideas and the development of a convincing final response.
The guide covers:

• AO1 – Develop Ideas: contextual research, critical understanding, meaningful connections and developing a personal direction.
• AO2 – Explore and Select: purposeful experimentation with materials, techniques and processes, alongside continual refinement.
• AO3 – Record Ideas: drawing, photography, observation, annotation and other forms of relevant primary recording.
• AO4 – Present a Response: realising intentions and producing personal, meaningful and coherent outcomes.
• What high-level/A* A Level Art practice looks like.
• How students can develop a strong personal voice rather than simply copying artists.
• The importance of experimentation, risk-taking and learning from unsuccessful work.
• How to use annotation and critical reflection effectively.
• Developing and refining ideas throughout a project.
• Making contextual research genuinely influence practical work.
• What successful students do inside and outside lessons.
• Independent working, gallery visits, research and ongoing portfolio development.
• Practical advice for Component 1: Personal Investigation, including the written element.
• Student-friendly guidance for approaching Component 2: Externally Set Assignment.
• A useful final checklist to encourage students to evaluate their own working practices.
  Ideal for:
  AQA A Level Art & Design teachers • Fine Art • Photography • Textiles • Graphic Communication • 3D Design • Year 12 and Year 13 • Sixth Form and College • Student induction • Target-setting • Independent study • Revision and assessment preparation
  This resource is particularly useful at the beginning of Year 12, when introducing students to the expectations of A Level, but can also be revisited throughout the course as a progress, reflection and target-setting resource.
  A useful addition to any AQA Art department, helping students move away from asking “What do I need to do to get an A*?” and towards understanding the creative, investigative and reflective working habits that underpin the highest levels of achievement.