Art & Design (Fine Art)
GCSE
Examining Board
Edexcel
Course Introduction
Fine Art is an exciting three year course that allows students to develop their creativity, individuality and visual skills. Art & Design is aimed at anyone who has a passion for the subject; who is interested in being creative, and who is willing to experiment with different approaches.
Creative ideas are explored through the medium of photography, painting, mixed media and 3D work where a flexible and individual approach is encouraged. Students will research and investigate a theme from which they will develop personal and creative responses. Inspiration is taken from other artists and designers, which is enhanced by many extra-curricular gallery trips.
Working from a theme, structured workshops will guide students and build their confidence in the first two years, which then broadens out to allow for their own individual response in Years 10 and 11.
GCSE Fine Art is a coursework subject that enables students to fulfil their potential and is highly rewarding. Students will be expected to plan and develop work beyond lesson time and supported study is offered most evenings.
Assessments
Coursework sketchbooks and final outcomes (60% of overall marks)
Externally set assignment (40% of overall marks)
Progression
From GCSE, students can continue to A Level specialism in Textiles, Photography or Fine Art. There are many career opportunities that lead from this and many students go on to have successful careers in Art & Design, for example as an Architect, Animator, Costume Designer, Graphic Designer, Web Designer, Art Editor, Fine Artist, Curator, Florist, Illustrator, Product Designer, Set Designer, Furniture Maker and many more.
Course Content
Unit 1: Coursework (60% of overall marks)
In Years 10 and 11, students will complete two or three thematic coursework projects, responding individually to a given theme. They will be given guidance on how to structure their projects to meet the assessment objectives, which are based on four categories:
- AO1 Recording and Investigating: drawing and taking photos from observation
- AO2 Using your knowledge and understanding of artists’ work for inspiration to develop ideas
- AO3 Experimentation; developing and refining ideas using a wide variety of materials
- AO4 Producing final outcomes that draw together the different aspects of research
Unit 2: Externally Set Assignment (40% of overall marks)
Working to the same assessment objectives students will respond to a theme given by the exam board, which is issued in January of Year 11, before completing a final piece over 10 hours (two days) in May.
Contact Name
Mrs H Roberts – Head of Art
Contact Email
h.roberts@wymcol.org
A Level
This is a stimulating and rewarding course for students who wish to explore the disciplines of Fine Art. The course involves the creative use of painting and printmaking techniques. Students are encouraged to pursue their own creative ideas and interpret these into their own work. A significant proportion of students go on to study Art and Design at degree level.
Coursework/Examination Requirement
Personal Investigation and externally set assignment.
The College expects students to have
Grade 6 in Art or above and a good portfolio. Students applying for this course should have a strong base of traditional skills.
Progression
Students of Art can expect to be found in a range of creative careers such as fine art, animation, exhibition curation, design and construction for film and TV, interior design, illustration, web design, special effects, graphic design, marketing and architecture.
Course Content
Component 1: Coursework - year 1
At the start of the first year practical and analytical skills are developed in an open-ended series of workshops. Students are encouraged to pursue their own ideas and be creative in their use of the art studio. Drawing, painting, mixed media and printmaking are explored. Practical workshops include a visit to the Curwen Press near Linton, where students develop their skills with practising printmakers. Students are taught how to develop critical and analytical skills and take part in group discussion. All students present their work in large scale sketch-pads and produce a final outcome shortly after Christmas.
From February until June of the first year students develop a personal project that enables them to work in an individual direction. Visits to national galleries are organised to assist in their response to artists’ work. Students produce final outcomes for this project in May and June.
Component 1: Coursework - year 2
Personal Study and mock exam - At the start of the second year students are helped to develop ideas for their Personal Study. This usually takes the form of a written and illustrated essay in which students show the depth of understanding that they have about the ideas that inform and inspire their work, through investigating artists and designers. The Personal Study element is worth approximately 18% of coursework marks. Students complete a mock exam project in which they develop individual ideas and experiments, culminating in an ambitious final outcome made over three days at the start of January of the second year.
Component 2 : Externally Set Assignment
A theme is given by the exam board as a starting point for the students’ own ideas. Students begin work on this in February and generate work in sketch pads or portfolios before producing a final practical outcome over three days in May.
