Art and Design

Examination Board: AQA
Course code: 42112/1 Art & Design

“This GCSE gave me the opportunity to be more creative in a more informed and relaxed environment. It was an excellent foil to my more academic subjects”

Year 11 Student

For success candidates need to have ability, but it is more important that there should be interest, enthusiasm, and self-motivation. Students will develop an understanding of the basic concepts, processes and procedures required to develop a personal response to a given premise. This can involve, for example, structured discussion around a specific topic, problem solving within a limited frame of reference or a critical response to a work of art from the past based upon visits to major exhibitions and art galleries.

Practices involve the development of technical expertise in handling the materials which are used in producing work: pencils, charcoal, pastels, pen and ink, paint, collage, printmaking including silk screen, photography, computer-generated work with Photoshop, graphics and three dimensional pieces including sculpture.

At the end of the course, a student should be able to respond critically to visual images and have had enough practical experience to be able to make a choice as to how to demonstrate her personal, creative and technically competent response to a particular subject or theme, in any media of her choice.

Textiles are part of the general art and design course we now follow. This introduces students to various techniques and manual operations required to make and/or decorate articles using fibres, threads and fabrics. A variety of decorative processes will involve the use of paints, dyes, inks, crayons, pens and other mark making mediums and objects as well as the more traditional use of embroidery, threads, stitches and beads.

The students are encouraged to develop their strengths in the different media available to them. They will be made aware of their surroundings and encouraged to look closely at both the natural and man-made world in order to stimulate creativity, imagination and provide visual, tactile and sensory experiences.

The use of ICT will be encouraged, not least for sourcing information, manipulating images and contributing to the design process.

We aim to help students develop a lifelong love of art and design. We believe that it is as important to understand art as it is to be able to create work. Art is a cultural activity and by studying it in greater depth students will be able to appreciate and comprehend works and the visual expression of different cultures from all over the world.

The AS and A2 Level in Years 12 and 13 are a continuation of GCSE so it is anticipated that a good level of competence is achieved.

There are many different careers in art, fashion design and textiles and many of our students
go on to courses at places like the University of the Arts including Central St Martins or to study architecture where an A Level in art is essential.

Estimated examination entry fees: £31