Art and Design GCSE

Art & Design

AQA - 8201

This course encourages students to experience, explore and enjoy the many aspects of Art through stimulating and exciting coursework. A wide range of technical skills will be developed through observation and analysis of the visual world, experimentation with media, techniques and processes, and the production of individual, creative outcomes.

Students will explore relevant images, artefacts and resources relating to a range of Art, Craft and Design, both contemporary and from the past. A variety of responses will be produced during the two years, including drawing, painting, printmaking, graphics, photography and clay work. A GCSE in Art would be useful for progression in any field that requires creativity, critical thinking and practical abilities. Students choosing to take art would be expected to show enthusiasm, dedication and aptitude for the subject. Creativity, imagination, practical skills and critical perception are essential attributes. Drawing forms the basis of all work in this subject and students should possess considerable skill in this discipline and be prepared to develop and improve over the two years.

Students are required to work in many areas of fine art, including drawing, painting, mixed media, ceramics, photography and moving image, sculpture and printmaking. You will also complete a written justification for the development of your ideas, based upon artists studied, as well as analysis of their creative work. Initially, students will produce a portfolio of work focusing on the development of understanding and art skills, using an appropriate range of materials, processes and techniques. The portfolio will contain a collection of work or projects based on an idea, concept, theme or issue. This should demonstrate the ability to sustain work from a starting point to a realisation, and include evidence of research, the development of ideas and meaningful links to critical/contextual studies. Visits to exhibitions and galleries form an important part of the course and students are encouraged to support their work with the use of photography and information technology (digital imagery, internet research). Weekly clubs at lunchtime, after school and on Saturday mornings give students plenty of opportunity to gain further guidance and studio time to produce work.

EXAM

Portfolio

Set task % Details

60 Sustained project produced during Year 10 and half of Year 11

40 A shorter project produced over 4 months, culminating in the production of a final piece created over two days in exam conditions