Courses
We offer a broad and balanced curriculum, for:
Click the appropriate button below to find the details for each subject offered in each key stage.
Further details of our curriculum are available on the curriculum page.
Overview
Introduction
The GCSE art and design course is project based and you will have some choice in deciding on the kind of work you want to do. There are two components to this course: the portfolio, and the final exam.
Qualification
GCSE
Awarding body
AQA
Course leader
Miss A Nicklin
Assessment
- Examination: 40%
- Component 2: Externally set assignment | 10 hours | 40%
- Non-examined assessment: 60%
- Component 1: Portfolio (skills based project and extended piece) | 60%
Curriculum
Course content
The portfolio (60% of the final marks)
This is a collection of your best work. You will have to show that you can work in more than one area from: drawing and painting, textiles, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, graphics, digital photography, and applied art, (working to a set design brief in the way a professional designer/illustrator would be expected to). Plus, an extended project in a media of your choosing. The coursework is split into 2 projects: 1 skills based, and 1 extended (personal project) covering all assessment objectives, 1 (research), 2 (develop), 3 (draw and annotate), 4 (final piece and evaluate).
The final exam (40% of the final marks)
This is a timed 10 hour session, broken down into smaller chunks of time. You are given the final exam paper by the exam board around January, you then choose which of the seven topics most interests you.
Between January and the exam in March/April (depending on when the final exam sessions are set) you will research and prepare for the exam. In the 10 hour exam, you produce the final piece of work you have been researching and building up to in the weeks of preparation.
Skills and requirements
Skills required
- An enthusiasm for the subject.
- An enthusiasm for developing work creatively.
- An ability to produce work regularly in the lesson and for homework to meet the project requirements by the deadlines.
Art and design is a demanding course and, if you choose to study it you will be expected to work hard. Artwork takes time to produce: sometimes it may take you most of the weekend to complete a piece of homework. Only opt for it if you are committed.
Beyond the classroom
Future pathways
A-level art and then onto foundation or BA courses. This could lead to a career in fine art, product design, architecture, advertising, digital media, design, or graphic design to name just a few. It could also be a good skill for academic degrees after A-level, particularly regarding creative problem solving e.g. engineering, or the sciences. Universities appreciate art as a valid qualification standard for most courses.
