A Levels

Try SOVAPA's original approach to A Level. We enable students to combine traditional academia with individual creativity, an attractive option for any university or employer. Three A Levels could open the door to the University of your choice.
    SOVAPA students range in age from sixteen to sixty. Our students have the opportunity to work in a mature and supportive environment - a taste of higher education and the working world.
    SOVAPA students have definitely left school entering the next phase of their education, a path that will lead to university and beyond.
    SOVAPA has been awarded a grade one for teaching excellence, our Media and Performing Arts departments have recently won prestigious awards.
    SOVAPA lecturers are degree qualified and combine their teaching work with careers in the arts and media. Our students  have access to both academic excellence and hands on experience of the highly competitive world of Media, Film and Performing Arts.
    Pick any of these arts based academic subjects.

Media Studies
Media Studies A Level offers students the opportunity to gain a thorough grounding in media theory supported by practical experience. SOVAPA students learn how to design and construct magazines and are able to take advantage of our camera and sound equipment, learning how to make short films. SOVAPA has recently won several national awards. The theoretical component of Media Studies A Level ensures that the qualification is recognised by universities for its academic rigour.

English Literature
English Literature is a respected academic qualification. Much of the work is based around class discussion and students have the opportunity to work on literature of their choice as part of their coursework.

Theatre Studies
This A Level option enables students to work on both the theory and practice of the theatre. You will study and analyse plays in depth, the work will take you through the history of the theatre. This thorough grounding will enable students to perform plays with confidence, having studied character, historical context and themes. Students choosing this option are ideally placed to continue into arts and performance based higher education. The strong academic component of Theatre Studies A Level makes students who can offer this subject, in conjunction with perhaps English Literature and Media or Film Studies, extremely attractive to universities.

Photography
The course concentrates on photography as a means of communicating and expressing ideas. Good technical practice is encouraged and the course focuses on using this to enhance creativity. There are a series of lectures and one to one tutorials. Students are encouraged to reflect on their own work and in the second year are given the opportunity to research a project piece of their own choosing. The course is ideal for those wishing to pursue a career in photography or the related areas of Film or Art and Design.

Art History
Answering much demand, this three-section course covers Art and Design history, with Architecture, from the earliest times to the present day. In addition to its lecture-based elements, students are also able to complete an individual study of their own choice, as coursework. This is an ideal opportunity for analytical study in the environment of an art school, leading to other pathways in Higher Education.

Art and Design
This course is ideal for students who wish to progress onto a Foundation course at the only Grade One Art & Design school in the area. The A Level is a stepping stone to Higher education.
   Emphasis is placed on drawing from direct observation as the basis for visual understanding and as a starting point for developing ideas. Students are given the opportunity to specialise in Textiles, Fashion, Painting, Sculpture, Ceramics, Graphic Design and Print Making. Students are encouraged to explore and research their own ideas throughout the course.

English Language and Literature combined
This combined syllabus introduces students to major literary texts and explores the use of English language in areas ranging from poetry to advertising. Students are thus able to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of theory and practice, analysing texts as well as writing short stories and articles. This A Level combines creativity with academic analysis making it attractive to potential employers and Higher Education institutions.

Performing Arts
Students gain a thorough education in the areas of Dance, Drama and Music. The A Level is modular comprising six assessments over two years. These assessments are both practical and theoretical. The course aims to make students aware of the interrelationship of Dance, Drama and Music within Performing Arts. The two year course will culminate in a student devised performance which will be included in the SOVAPA end of year show.

Film Studies
A wonderful opportunity to study a form of popular mass entertainment. Film Studies A Level is highly respected by Universities. You will study the history of film from the early silent films to recent British and Hollywood hits. Students are able to analyse and discuss films from a technical as well as a symbolic perspective, exploring the ways in which its meaning is transmitted through image to mass audiences.
Film Studies A level is an ideal subject to study in conjunction with any of the subjects offered as part of the SOVAPA arts A level package.

For further details contact:
Judy Hemmings on 01323 636017