Don Valley Academy

ART AND DESIGN *

Lessons per week – 3 lessons
Award
Single
Assessment
Coursework
Terminal Examination

There are a number of GCSE options within the Art Department. The courses are detailed below. Be aware that you cannot study Art and Design with Fine Art Drawing and Painting or 3D Sculptures/Ceramics.

However, you can study Fine Art Drawing and Painting with 3D Sculptures/Ceramics if you would like to.

GCSE Art and Design *

What Will I Do in Art and Design?
We offer an exciting and demanding course of study in which you will explore a wide range of media and techniques used in response to starting points taken from a variety of observational and imaginative sources. You will be expected to carry our assignments in drawing and painting, claywork / 3D, printmaking, textiles, photography and graphics / advertising design. In addition, we seek to improve your ability to understand and enjoy the work of other artists and designers, including trips being made to art galleries and guest artists visiting the department. You will be expected to produce a portfolio of work and keep a sketchbook of out of school learning.

What Will I Have To Do For My GCSE?
Assessment will take place at the end of the five terms, 60% of the marks being given for coursework and 40% for work carried out during an unaided controlled test over a period of 10 hours. You will have 1 term prior to this to prepare your ideas and study sheets.

GCSE Sculpture – Ceramics *
What Will I Do in Sculpture – Ceramics?
If you like working with modroc, wire, card and clay and enjoy using construction techniques, then this would be an ideal examination course for you.
You will have to opportunity to wok with a range of media to produce 3D pieces to set themes. You will still need to use drawing and painting skills on study sheets but all final outcomes will be three-dimensional sculptural pieces.
You will have the opportunity to visit the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and other galleries displaying sculptural pieces.

What Will I Have To Do For My GCSE?
Written work is kept to a minimum with reference to Artists and exhibitions being made in note form.
You will be expected to undertake a timed 10 hour practical piece. You will be given 1 term to prepare ideas and study for this. Your coursework is worth 60% and your timed piece 40% of the available marks.

GCSE Drawing and Painting

What Will I Do in Drawing and Painting?
You will use a wide range of materials including pencil, crayon, chalk, charcoal, oil pastels, watercolour, gouache and acrylic paints. Study sheets will be developed and final outcomes produced in a range of scales to set themes.
You will have the opportunity to visit one of the world’s leading art galleries in London and in addition, visit local exhibitions. Trips will also be organised to college and universities to provide master class experiences.
You will be expected to actively participate in and out of school learning and to purchase a sketch pad in which to record this.

What Will I Have To Do For My GCSE?
There is no written examination at the end of this course, but you will be expected to produce a portfolio of work and undertake a timed 10 hour practical piece. You will be given 1 term to prepare ideas and studies for this.
Your coursework is worth 60% and your timed piece 40% of the available marks.

E. Caine – Head of Art