Art

Since September 2008 the Art Department has occupied an inspirational, state of the art facility that includes two spacious classrooms, a sixth form studio, a digital suite, with macs, with art specific programmes and an impressive exhibition space. We are fully resourced to offer printmaking, photography and ceramics as well as painting, drawing and sculpture.

Increasingly we live in a world where visual literacy is an essential skill. Far from being limited to traditional employment in Fine Art, Art and Design feeds into careers in graphics, fashion, architecture, film, advertising and web based design among many more. “The arts contribute £16.5 billion to the UK economy, and employ 459,200 people”, according to a report by the Adult Learning Inspectorate.

This course will encourage you to develop a greater knowledge about Art in today’s world by developing your practical skills and using the methods of artists and designers in a creative, imaginative and personal way. You will be encouraged to develop your own original ideas through exciting and relevant projects.

The AQA GCSE syllabus in Art and Design allows you to develop the skills, interests and ideas you have encountered throughout your first three years in the department in greater depth. The course is designed to cater for pupils of all levels of ability. Obviously you will get the greatest satisfaction from it if you have a genuine interest in the subject, enjoy experimenting, thinking for yourself, and working on your own initiative outside the classroom.

You will be encouraged to work in at least two different practical areas eg. painting, drawing, sculpture, ICT, printmaking or graphics. Students will be expected to develop critical skills by studying the work of artists, designers and craftspeople from a variety of cultures in order to inform their practical work.

Portfolios showing research, process, preparation and experimentation will count for 60% of the GCSE. A 10 hour controlled test on a topic set by the board, but discussed with your tutor, will be undertaken in controlled conditions at the end of the course. The controlled test will count for 40% of the GCSE.

Typical projects may involve the following although these change from year to year: