GCSE ART AND DESIGN

The Art Department offers a GCSE in ‘Art and Design’ and follows the OCR specification. The Key Stage 4 syllabus builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills established at Key Stage 3, in line with the Secondary Curriculum guidelines. The syllabus has been devised to combine a breadth and depth of study with the freedom of choice to accommodate a range of interests and abilities.

COURSE AIMS

• Development of visual perception and understanding.
• Development of visual literacy and appreciation of cultural heritage.
• Development of individuals’ special aptitudes and interests.
• Encourage confidence, enthusiasm and a sense of achievement.

COURSE CONTENT

There are two components to the GCSE Art and Design course, Unit 1: Portfolio worth 60% of the final grade and Unit 2: OCR-set Task worth 40% of the final grade.

 

The portfolio of work will consist of a sustained project, theme or course of study. This will include preparatory studies, image collection, experimentation with different materials and techniques, development ideas, critical studies and a final outcome which realises intentions. Students should demonstrate an expressive and personal response in their work and will cover the majority of the following areas; drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media, construction and sculpture. To support the project students will produce an illustrated research piece that encourages independent investigation and appreciation.

  

The OCR-set Task is taken in Year 11. This task will give students a choice of questions in the form of written and or visual starting points. Students select one question for which they will generate a personal response and will be given preparatory time in which to research, plan and develop their ideas. Ten hours are allocated for the independent realisation of an outcome which is taken under formal examination conditions.

ASSESSMENT

For the purpose of assessment students will provide evidence of all the assessment objectives through careful selection and presentation of their work. All work is internally assessed by the Art Department and moderated by the OCR Examination Board.

The Portfolio and OCR-set Task will be assessed at their completion and will be marked to the following criteria:

• Objective 1 – Investigations informed by contextual and other sources demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.
• Objective 2 – Experimentation and selection of resources with the development of ideas.
• Objective  3 – Recording of observations and insights relevant to intentions.
• Objective 4 – An informed personal response which realises intentions and makes connections to the work of others.