Art and Design Option

What is the course about?

GCSE Art and Design is useful for a number of reasons, even if you are not pursuing a career in art or design. > The study skills taught in art encourage students to work independently, learn to develop imaginative ideas, show a logical progression in ideas development, organise their thoughts, and evaluate their own work and that of others. These skills are transferable. > Students may continue to A level Art and Design or Photography. > GCSE Art and Design can lead to careers in architecture, art history, galleries and conservation, education, psychology, interior design, games design, fashion design, illustration, web design, the media, working in magazines, photography, working as an artist, art therapy and many more.

What topics will I study?

The course will start with two basic skills units which will introduce students to materials and processes, supporting the development of key GCSE skills. This will be followed in Year 10 by coursework themed to decay and growth. Students investigate the projects producing a range of work in a variety of materials. At the end of Year 10 students will complete an exam. This will become part of their coursework. In Year 11 students will complete a short recycling and regeneration unit, followed by their mock exam. At the end of Year 11, students will complete a 10 hour exam, with an 8 week preparatory period. Finished pieces can range from paintings, drawings and collage to sculpture and photography.

What kind of class activities will there be?

Students will experiment with a variety of materials including, but not limited to, acrylic paint, watercolour, collage and mixed media, spray paint, photography and ICT, charcoal, pencil work etc. Students will also complete observational work, imaginative work, artist research, written evaluation and ideas development/planning.

What kind of homework assignments will there be?

Students will receive one homework per week, and should expect to spend a minimum of an hour on it. Most homeworks will be completed in a work journal/sketchbook. Tasks will include artist research, observational work, written evaluation and ideas development. What percentage of the final GCSE grade is for coursework? All projects are marked holistically and combine for the coursework grade. This forms 60% of the final grade. Coursework in art is ongoing. The basic skills units with be completed by the end of Year 9. The decay project will be completed by the end of the autumn term in Year 10. The growth project will be completed by the end of the spring term in Year 10. All other coursework will be completed by the end of the autumn term in Year 11.

What percentage of the final GCSE grade is from a final exam?

The final exam is worth 40% of the final grade. What are the most interesting parts of the course? The use of a variety of materials and the chance to develop own ideas. Students may also have a trip to Kew Gardens and the Tate Modern, as well as a residential trip to Cornwall as a stimulus for their project work.