Art and Design GCSE

Course description:

This offers an exciting opportunity to study and explore Art & Design in greater depth. Building on Key Stage 3 experiences we investigate themes, analyse and experiment with a wide range of 2D & 3D media and explore ideas. The creative journey and process takes place in sketchbooks / work journals and is an important element in our coursework. Students continue to develop their understanding of artists’ and designers’ work and make links with their own practical work. Students visit local and national galleries to consider and respond to artists’ work at first hand and appreciate historical and contemporary contexts for artwork.

The course is directed carefully by specialist staff allowing students to gain the confidence and skills to express their own ideas, make their own decisions about approach and media, thereby allowing personal development and response.

Course structure: 2 x Units of coursework

Year 10

Term 1: Unit 1 – ‘Material World’ – Painting / Drawing / Mixed Media.
Term 2: Unit 2 – ‘The Body’ – Sculpture.
Term 3: Unit 2 continued – Paint / Textiles / Printmaking.

Year 11

Term 1: Unit 1 – ‘Material World’ Mock Exam Project.
Term 2: Coursework completion followed by preparation for external examination & exhibition.

Homework:

There will be one and a half hours per week (variable depending on task). Activities will include observational studies and research on artists amongst other areas.

Assessment, weighting and timings of assessments:

Coursework, 2 units (worth 60%) and 1 exam unit (worth 40%).

All work is assessed each term forming continuous assessment, with the final assessment conducted at the end of course exhibition.

Books, equipment, materials and resources recommended / needed:

A4 sketchbooks x 2 and A1 folder (can be purchased through the department), pencils, crayons, pastels, acrylic paints / watercolours / brushes, old shirt or apron.

Opportunities for study beyond Key Stage 4:

BTEC First Diploma in Art & Design
AS Level Art & Design leading to a full ‘A’ Level in the second year
A Foundation course in Art & Design leads to a specialist degree course at Art College or University

Career opportunities supported by this subject:

There are many opportunities available through training in Art and Design, including amongst others:

Fashion Designer	Graphic Designer	Illustrator	Theatre Set Designer
Architect	Fine Artist	Interior Designer	Product Designer
Animator	Photographer	Conservationist	Textile Designer
Jeweller