KS4

GENERAL AIMS


The GCSE Art and Design course will cover a wide range of skills and experiences that will enable pupils to develop original ideas through to finished products, following an organised methodology and approach.  The course will develop the individual’s judgement and ability.  Within the course, pupils will be encouraged to incorporate studies of work by other Artists, Craft workers and Designers.  There will be an opportunity for pupils to develop their skills within the following fields –

  • Drawing and Painting
  • Printmaking
  • Textiles
  • 3D Design
  • Photography
  • Critical & Contextual Studies

The GCSE Art and Design will consist of TWO parts:

  • Assessment 1: CANDIDATE PORTFOLIO (60%)
  • Assessment 2: EXTERNALLY SET TASK (40%)

The PORTFOLIO unit will be internally set by the department and developed from personal starting points. The PORTFOLIO will motivate the personal interest of each pupil and at the same time appropriately relate to worthwhile educational experiences. The course is designed to encompass four principal areas.  These areas are incorporated into the four assessment objective headings:

  • Contextual understanding
  • Creative making
  • Reflective recording
  • Personal presentation

The Question Paper is called the Controlled Assignment and represents the externally set element of the course and is characterised by visual and written triggers.

SUMMARY OF ASSESSMENT


Unit 1 (Candidate Portfolio) (60%)


  • Internally set and developed from personal and/or given starting points
  • Selected and presented by the candidate from work undertaken within the course
  • Requires evidence of how the candidate has met each of the assessment objectives

Unit 2 (Externally set task or starting point)
(research and preparatory plus 10 hours) (40%)

  • Requires a sustained period of focussed study of no longer than 10 hours
  • Presented to the candidate no earlier than the start of January in the year of the examination
  • Requires evidence of how the candidate has met each of the assessment objectives