Specification

AQA Art, Craft and Design: The specification and assessment structure can be found at the link: AQA | Art and Design | GCSE | Art and Design

What will I study?

The course builds on the key concepts studied within KS3 in terms of recording ideas and insights through visual and written form, responding to contextual sources and using these as inspiration, experimenting with materials to develop and refine ideas and presenting work in the form of outcomes and preparation evidence. Each project also builds on the practical skills developed within KS3 such as drawing for purpose, printing, painting, sculpture, collage, relief and textiles techniques. Students are introduced to a wider variety of approaches to these media and use more advanced materials and approaches.

Students also study a wider variety of sources to develop their contextual understanding. Projects change year-on-year in terms of focal point, but all projects have the same key concepts and experiences for students for them to complete their coursework.

What Skills and Qualities are required?

• Creative
• Practical
• Imaginative

How will I learn?

You will learn through gaining the skills, techniques and processes to develop your ideas into visual form, by being informed of the diverse and exciting world of Art and how to look and use other artists work in their own idea development. You will be encouraged to develop an educated opinion and appreciation of Art forms.

How will I be assessed?

In formal terms there is weighting of 60% for the coursework element and 40% for the timed test.  Assessment follows two broad strands.  Firstly students are assessed on their ability to develop ideas from a range of stimuli, including the work of other artists.  The second part of the assessment takes account of how well students use the particular process they have chosen to make their work. 

Where could it lead?

Graphic design, Illustrator, Fine Artist, Product designer, Animation, CGI Artist, Media work, Textile designer, Art therapist, Fashion designer, Printmaker, Community arts worker.

Assessment

KS4 students build a portfolio of practical work throughout the course. The portfolio is marked against the 4 assessment objectives holistically at the end of the course along with the Examination project.