Key Stage 4
Subject Specification: AQA GCSE Art & Design. For further information please click here AQA GCSE Art & Design
At key stage 4 the art department puts a great deal of emphasis on personalisation, encouraging students to explore themes that are uniquely meaningful to them. We feel the most exciting art work is developed when students find ways of introducing themes that fascinate them personally. Underpinning this is our aim to develop drawing, painting and making skills to a high standard and this is achieved by encouraging students to look at a wide range of visual starting points to develop ambitious portraiture, landscape, sculptural and still life pieces.
We are fortunate to be able to run a GCSE in Art and Design as well as a GCSE in Applied Art & Design. We feel that by running both courses we are able to ensure that different groups of students progress equally well at Key Stage 4, benefiting from a wide range of approaches and initiatives designed to improve participation and performance. Students who enjoy working with a structured design scenario, much like the design industry, are generally better suited to the Applied course in Art & Design. Whereas students who prefer the challenge of responding to very ‘open ended’ briefs seem to thrive on the GCSE in Art & Design.
Assessment
For each GCSE course, in Year 10 work is entered as a coursework Portfolio. This work makes up 60% of the final GCSE mark.
The Externally Set Task (exam paper) is given out in January of Y11 and involves preparation time of 9 weeks followed by a 10 hour exam which is completed over two days (usually at the end of March). This makes up 40% of the final mark.
Student work is assessed every half term by teachers and feedback given on relevant assessment objectives. Students also use peer assessment throughout the term and are encouraged to reflect on their own and others’ work as it progresses so that considered changes can be made.
Enrichment
Keen art students are encouraged to join one of two after school art clubs as soon as they start school in year 7 and many students attend right through to year 11, completing an Arts Award qualification in years 8 and 9 should they wish to. The club gives students a chance to work alongside students from different year groups in a relaxed studio atmosphere, following student led project themes.
Art and design students are often commissioned to use their skills outside the classroom to produce work for events in school that require their creative expertise. Designing and making posters, costumes and stage sets for the school production are just some of the many creative projects they are encouraged to work on outside of lessons.
