In Art at GCSE, you are encouraged to work in a range of two and three-dimensional media (including digital processes) over the duration of a two-year course. The two-year course is three lessons per week. We explore and research the work of a variety of artists and craftspeople and this will inspire your own ideas.

Topics

The main areas we focus on are:

• Drawing – pencil, charcoal, pastels, pen, chalk etc., in a range of styles and scales
• Digital Photography – supported by development work using Photoshop CS4
• Painting – acrylic, watercolour and poster colour techniques
• Printmaking – intaglio (etching) and monoprint
• 3D – includes construction techniques (card or MDF) and ceramics

Assessment

The exam board (AQA) asks for a portfolio of work that represents the best aspects of what you have produced over the course. This coursework portfolio accounts for 60% of the overall award.

The examination unit is started in the second half of the course – you have to respond to one of a series of questions set by the exam board. Preparation work is coursework based; a final piece of work is produced in exam conditions over 10 hours. This ‘examination’ unit accounts for 40% of the overall award.

• Coursework 60% of the final grade
• Examination 40% of the final grade