History of Art A Level at St Peter’s School: Opening Doors to the World of Art and Culture

At St Peter’s School, we believe in nurturing intellectual curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. The History of Art A Level has long been an exciting offering to our Sixth Form pupils, providing them with a rich and engaging pathway into the world of visual culture. As one of the few schools in the region to offer this subject, we are proud to champion a course that not only deepens cultural literacy but also opens up a host of exciting career opportunities for our pupils.

Why study History of Art at St Peter’s?

Taught by a passionate subject specialist, the course encourages pupils to consider how art reflects and shapes the social, political, and philosophical contexts in which it was created.

We place strong emphasis on analytical and evaluative skills, challenging pupils to interpret meaning, form, and function while developing a strong command of visual language. Through engaging discussions, independent research, and gallery visits, students gain not only academic insight but a deep appreciation for the power of visual expression.

Beyond the Classroom: Real-World Opportunities

The benefits of studying History of Art at A Level extend far beyond examination success. Many of our alumni have gone on to pursue university degrees in Art History, Fine Art, Architecture and Design. Others have used the transferable skills developed on the course—such as critical thinking, visual literacy, and communication—in fields as varied as journalism, marketing, and education.

Taking advantage of its excellent position in the heart of cultural York, St Peter’s has access to galleries, universities, and cultural institutions, giving pupils unique opportunities for firsthand experiences.

A recent highlight of the department’s success was two consecutive pupil’s success at the prestigious national ARTiculation Prize. The competition requires pupils to choose a piece of art or architecture to speak about. In 2024, Katie competed against pupils from across the UK, delivering a compelling and insightful presentation on the work of Yayoi Kusami, impressing judges with her clarity, depth of analysis, and passion for art. This year, our second pupil Emily won the regional finals on her presentation about Marina Abramovic's 1974 work 'Rhythm 0' and was one of only 10 pupils in the final presenting at The British Library.

Their achievements not only reflect the high standard of teaching and support offered at St Peter’s but also demonstrates the confidence and intellectual engagement that History of Art nurtures in our pupils.

Encouraging Future Creators, Curators, and Thinkers

The creative industries remain one of the fastest-growing sectors in the UK, and demand for culturally fluent, visually aware professionals continues to rise. At St Peter’s, we see History of Art not just as an academic discipline, but as a launchpad for future innovation and leadership in the arts.

We encourage all pupils with a passion for culture, history, and creativity to consider this vibrant and inspiring course. It is an A Level that not only prepares you for university but also shapes the way you see the world.

Pupil Quotes

Old Peterite Hope said “Initially, I chose Art History in sixth form to support my Fine Art study, however, it quickly became one of my favourite subjects. Now, I am about to graduate from the University of St Andrews having studied Art History for a further four years and I have enjoyed it greatly. Throughout, I have consistently drawn upon knowledge, artworks and texts for my essays that I learnt about at A-Level. The skills of writing, critical thinking, research and analysis that were promoted through my A-Level have been foundational to my learning since. Also, the lessons are still fondly remembered as some of my most engaging and exciting from school. 

Some opportunities from my degree have been directly linked to the subject - such as work experience at an auction house, undertaking a Curating short course, and running my own charity exhibition and sale in October last year. Others have been more tangential - for example, beyond university, I am excited to be starting a career next year in specialty insurance, with the ambition to become a Fine Art & Specie underwriter. 

I highly recommend taking Art History as an A-Level. Its interdisciplinary nature truly complements nearly all other subjects and it opens up study into many fields beyond the art world itself.”

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