ART AND DESIGN KEY STAGE 4 CURRICULUM INFO

What is the qualification?

One full GCSE awarded at grades 9 – 1.

 

What will I be doing on the course?  How will it be structured?

This course allows you to explore and experiment with a wide range of art techniques and media. You will be given two project themes over the two years for which you will have to produce a sketchbook and final piece.

 

During the course, you will be shown how to use printing techniques, paint, pastels, sculptural and textured materials, photography and digital media. You will then be able to choose which media or combination of media you wish to use to produce your final pieces. All of the work you produce for these projects will be submitted in a portfolio which equates to 60% of your overall marks. In addition to this portfolio, you are also given a selection of questions/ themes that have been written by the examination board. You will have a set number of weeks to produce a sketchbook based on your chosen question/ theme and then a ten hour examination during which you will have to make the final piece.

 

The examination unit will make up the other 40% of your overall grade.

 

Assessment

Year 10

Summer Term:  project 1 deadline, to be assessed as part of Unit 1.

Year 11

Autumn Term: Project 2 deadline, to be assessed as part of Unit 1.

Spring Term:  Examination paper (Unit 2) preparatory period plus 10 hour examination time.

 

What skills do I need to develop to be successful at this course?

You need to be extremely creative and the more ideas you have the better. You also need to be willing to try using techniques and media that you find more challenging or are unfamiliar with. We will teach you how to improve your drawing and making skills during lessons but you may be required to come after school to practise any that you find particularly difficult or to complete work that cannot be taken home. You need to be able to manage your time well because artwork can be time consuming and require careful planning.

 

You need to be able to research artists and designers using the internet, books and by going to exhibitions. You will also have to develop an analytical writing style and be able to show that you think carefully about imagery rather than take it at face value.

 

What could I use this qualification for?

This qualification will allow you to go on and study an art based course at Post 16 and it will also help you enhance your research skills, analytical skills, independent and creative thinking skills and time management skills – all of which are very useful whatever courses you go on to study.

 

Careers in Art and Design include; artists, illustrator, fashion photographer, teacher, graphic designer, animator and many more.