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Art

Course Title: GCSE Art & Design

Examination Board: EDEXCEL

Entry Requirements (if appropriate): Students should ideally have achieved Level 5 at Key Stage Three in Art & Design.

Contact: Mr Sutcliffe & Miss Alpine

Course Aims:

The aim of the course is to develop the technical skills required for the confident use of visual language & provide students with a broad understanding of the nature of Art & Design. The course teaches students to make connections & relate their work to the work of other artists & designers in historical, social, cultural, political & economic contexts.

Course Description:

The course is divided into two main parts comprised of both Practical & Written work:

How will I learn:

You will complete four coursework projects based upon ideas, subjects, themes. Within each project you will be required to sustain and develop responses and experiment in a variety of different materials which could include pencil, pastel, charcoal, paint, printmaking, photography, computer aided design & three dimensional materials such as clay. By reviewing & modifying your preparation work you refine your ideas in order to produce a final piece for each project. Homework is set weekly forming a large part of the coursework and you will be required to work on your own & make independent decisions about your ideas. Art History also forms an important part of coursework & you will be required to study other artists & document your studies both visually & in writing. All work is annotated & artists are analysed in written format.

Possible Career Pathways:

You could study an Art and Design course in Sixth Form such as: AS/A2 or Applied AS/A2 Advanced Art & Design, Fashion, Photography, Graphics or 3D Design. These courses will allow you access to Higher Education courses in Art Foundation & Degree level at University. The main employment areas within Art & Design are: Graphic Design, Fashion & Textiles, Film, Photography & Video, Fine Art, Theatre Design, Architecture, Industrial Product Design, Interior Design & 3D Craft. Art & Design offers a wide diversity of employment opportunities. You could find yourself working as a window dresser, make-up artist, sign writer, forensic artist, archaeological illustrator, a Milan based British fashion forecaster, a North Sea Oil company underwater photographer, a special effects model maker, costume jeweler or computer graphics artist to name but a few careers. Career advancement will often require the development of Art and Design skills to a Higher Education level in these & thousands of other jobs.

Subject summary: Year 7 Art Programme of Study

During year 7 students follow a basic skills foundation course in Art and Design in order to consolidate and expand upon skills learnt at Primary School. Students explore ideas and select visual and other information with references to Art Historical contexts. They extend their understanding of materials and processes, whilst developing independence. Students analyse and comment on the contexts of their own and others artist’s and designer’s work. They use a variety of media and explore a range of techniques in producing a good quality sketch book.

Assessment Criteria:

Exploring & developing ideas; Investigating & Making Art, Craft & Design; Evaluating & Developing work; Knowledge & Understanding;

Subject summary: Year 8 Art Programme of Study

During year 8 students build upon their skills and knowledge gained in year 7. Students explore ideas and select visual and other information, analysing codes and conventions used in Art History, taking account of purpose and audience. They extend their understanding of materials and processes, showing increasing independence when developing ideas and realising their intentions. Students analyse and comment on the contexts of their own and others artist’s and designer’s work and explain how their own ideas, experiences and values affect their opinions and practice. They use a variety of media and explore a range of techniques in producing a good quality sketch book.

Assessment Criteria:

Exploring & Developing ideas; Investigating & Making Art, Craft & Design; Evaluating & Developing work; Knowledge & Understanding.

Subject summary: Year 9 Art Programme of Study

During year 9 students build upon their skills and knowledge gained in years 7 and 8. Students explore ideas and select visual and other information, analysing codes and conventions used in Art History, taking account of purpose and audience. They extend their understanding of materials and processes, showing increasing independence when developing ideas and realising their intentions. Students analyse and comment on the contexts of their own and others artist’s and designer’s work and explain how their own ideas, experiences and values affect their opinions and practice. They use a variety of media and explore a range of techniques in producing a good quality sketch book.

Assessment Criteria:

Exploring & developing ideas; Investigating & Making Art, Craft & Design; Evaluating &Developing work; Knowledge & Understanding; Breadth of Study

Subject summary: Year 10 Art Programme of Study

The aim of the course is to develop the technical skills required for the confident use of visual language and provide students with a broad understanding of the nature of Art and Design. The course teaches students to make connections and relate their work to the work of other artists and designers in historical, social, cultural, political and economic contexts. The course is divided into two main parts comprised of both Practical & Written work. Coursework covering 60% of the final marks and the Terminal Examination covering 40% of the final marks.
Students will need to demonstrate their ability to fulfil the following assessment objectives;-

Subject summary: Year 11 Art Programme of Study

The aim of the course is to develop the technical skills required for the confident use of visual language and provide students with a broad understanding of the nature of Art and Design. The course teaches students to make connections and relate their work to the work of other artists and designers in historical, social, cultural, political and economic contexts. The course is divided into two main parts comprised of both Practical & Written work:

Students need to be working towards their Coursework deadline of February Half term. The exam preparation period begins in late February, working towards the final exam in early May.