Art and Design
AQA
Have you ever considered what you use every day that hasn’t been created and designed by someone?
From operating theatres to outer space, artists and designers have had to solve problems, design and make objects that enhance other people’s lives.
Art is an excellent subject for those whose interests are diverse, whose mind is engaged with the world around them, and who enjoy the challenges of thinking of the new; stage set design, fashion design, surface pattern, and new eco-textiles are just a few possibilities art allows you to access.
The GCSE course provides each individual pupil creativity, the ability to investigate ideas and develop skills such as research and investigation. The final ‘externally set assignment’ is a continuous project, avoiding exam pressure of revision as it and the coursework projects are completed early in May before exam leave.
The syllabus encourages a structured approach which allows candidates to develop a sound grounding in a number of skills whilst still exploring the subject creatively in depth. There is greater emphasis and focus at GCSE level; investigating research and ideas, the ability to experiment with materials and media to a high skill level, the exploration of ideas as part of their journey and culminating in an outcome (or series of outcomes) as the realisation of intentions.
Opportunities to experiment with ceramics, textiles, photography, painting and drawing, as well as printmaking, all lead to exciting prospects beyond your GCSE.
Art is a popular and highly successful optional GCSE subject at Denstone College, with typically two teaching groups studying the subject each year. Success demands an organised and disciplined approach from pupils, who are encouraged to make use of the many opportunities that exist to use the art facilities beyond lesson time.
Assessment
The same four areas for assessment apply for both coursework and the externally set assignment.
Component 1 is a personal portfolio of work based on themes and projects carried out within the department. The projects are produced throughout Fourth Form and part-way through Fifth Form. This portfolio contributes 60% of the overall marks available for the qualification.
Component 2 is based on an externally set assignment, issued in January of Fifth Form, where preparatory work is carried out in class, leading towards a final outcome(s) produced under exam conditions over a 10-hour period, spread across two days in May. Work submitted for this unit has a 40% mark weighting overall.
For further details about this course please contact Mrs K Mackay, Head of Art.