Art and Design GCSE is an exciting course which covers a broad range of two and three dimensional studies which may include drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, digital art, textiles, digital photography, illustration, graphic design and illustration.

Art and design is a two year course which is compiled of 60% Candidate Portfolio and 40% Externally Set Assignment. The candidate portfolio will be made up from the projects you will complete throughout year 10 and 11. The Externally Set Assignment is a ten hour practical responding to a chosen theme or starting point presented in an examination paper. All of the work submitted for the candidate portfolio and the Externally Set Assignment should show that you have researched the work of other artists, designers or cultures to deepen your own ideas. You will need to show evidence of creative experimentation through a range of media, ideas and methods of working, which are refined and modified leading to an innovative and skilful personal response.

The creative industries are the fastest growing part of the UK economy generating more than £100bn a year to the UK economy. There are a wide range of possible careers within this subject such as; special effects, television, film, photography, advertising, marketing, communication, beauty, fashion, textiles, CAD, animation, illustration and architecture to name just a few. Throughout the course there are opportunities for you to broaden your knowledge by participating in visits to galleries both in the UK and Europe.

The 2 year course is broken up into 3 Units:

Unit 1 - starts at the end of Year 10, performed November year 11;

Unit 2 - completed by the end of the Spring term of Year 11;

Unit 3 - Written Exam completed in the Summer term of Year 11.

Unit 1 – Devising Theatre (40%)  - Pupils will be participate in the creation, development and performance of a piece of devised theatre based on either the work of a theatre practitioner or a style in response to a stimulus set by WJEC - a poem, a famous quotation, a picture and a song. Pupils will also complete a portfolio of their process, as well as a written evaluation of their devised performance. (Performance (20%) + Portfolio (10%) + Written Evaluation (10%))

Unit 2 – Performing Theatre (20%) - Pupils will participate in a performance, based on extracts from an existing script chosen by pupils, with support from your teacher. Pupils will gain a deeper understanding of how to interpret a text for performance and realise artistic intentions. Pupils will need to submit a 150 word document to a WJEC examiner, conveying their artistic intentions for their character.

Unit 3 – Interpreting Theatre (40%) - A 90 minute examination, allowing pupils to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of how drama and theatre is developed and performed through the study of a script and through responding to live theatre.

Economics is a fascinating subject to study, which is not only well respected but also extremely relevant to the real world. Throughout the course students will be able to develop their skills of analysis and evaluation as they learn to apply economic theory to different contexts. The GCSE Economics course lays excellent foundations for AS and A Level study. 

Geography is an education in life! Much of the work covered is related to important current affairs and is designed to develop enjoyment in the subject for any student with an interest in the local and global economy, social issues and environmental concerns. It is an excellent basis for intellectual development and provides broad exposure and a range of topics. The school follows the WJEC ‘Specification A’ Geography GCSE syllabus and it is a linear course. The course is a very popular and successful option.

Unit 1 Changing Physical and Human Landscapes: This paper is worth 40% of the final grade and is made up of 3 questions from a choice of four. Section A – core themes is two questions assessing landscape and physical processes and rural-urban links. Section B is one question from a choice of two, this will either be tectonic landscapes and hazards or coastal hazards and their management. There will be a mixture of question styles including data response and extended answers.

Unit 2 Environmental and Development Issues: This paper is worth 40% of the final grade and is made up of 3 questions from a choice of 4. Section A – core themes is two questions assessing weather, climate and ecosystems and resource and development issues. Section B is one question from a choice of two, this will either be social development issues or environmental challenges.

Unit 3 Geographical Enquiry/Controlled Assessment: This unit is worth 20% of the final grade and is a non-examination assessment. Students will be required to write a report which includes evidence of the enquiry process and their independent ability to process/present data and complete extended writing.

Fieldwork is a positive feature of the department and a range of local and international locations are visited.

Geography GCSE is a fascinating and relevant course helping you to make sense of what you see in the world around you. Should you wish to continue your Geography studies into the sixth form, it combines well with both science and arts subjects. Importantly Geography is certainly very well regarded by both Universities and employers. Indeed, the beauty of Geography is that it really provides an excellent foundation for pursuing academic life yet is equally useful in the working world.

The WORLD today…

• weighs approximately 5,940,000,000,000,000,000,000 metric tons

• people will use 10 billion tonnes of fresh water

• has a population of about 7,258,782,987

• there are 196 countries, across 7 continents

Nearly everything that has happened in the past, is happening now or will happen to our planet in the future can be linked to GEOGRAPHY.

The WJEC specification is designed to introduce learners to the key concepts for studying media - media language, representation, media industries and media audiences – in relation to examples from a wide range of media forms. 

Through this study, learners gain a good understanding of the foundations of the subject, enabling them to question and explore in a critical way aspects of the media that may seem familiar and straightforward from their existing experience. 

This exploration extends learners' engagement with the media to the less familiar, including products from different historical periods or those aimed at different audiences, providing rich and challenging opportunities for interpretation and analysis. 

This specification recognises the cross-media, multi-platform nature of the contemporary media and the centrality of online and social media platforms in distributing, accessing and participating in the media. In some instances, specific forms are highlighted for detailed study, but this is in the context of their relationships to online platforms. 

Studying aspects of the media in Wales is also an important part of this specification. 

Learners will explore a range of media products that reflect this Welsh dimension, including those produced by the media industries in Wales, those set in Wales or those intended for a Welsh audience.

Summary of Assessment

Unit 1: Exploring the Media - 30% of qualification (60 marks) - Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes: Section A: Representations – advertising, video games and newspapers: This section will assess knowledge and understanding of the representation of gender and events in relation to any of the media forms studied – advertising, video games and newspapers. One stepped question based on unseen print-based resource material related to advertising, video games or newspapers. Section B: Music: This section will assess knowledge and understanding of media language, representation, media industries and audiences. One stepped question and two single questions.

Unit 2: Understanding Television and Film - 30% of qualification (60 marks) - Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes: Section A: Wales on Television: This section will assess knowledge of media industries, audiences, media language and representation. One stepped question based on the set ‘Wales on Television’ product chosen by the centre. The final part of this question requires an extended response where the quality of written communication will be assessed. Section B: Contemporary Hollywood Film: This section will assess knowledge and understanding of media industries, audiences and media language. One stepped question and two single questions.

Unit 3: Creating Media - Non-exam assessment 40% of qualification (80 marks):  A media production, including individual research and planning, created in response to a choice of briefs set by WJEC, and applying knowledge and understanding of key concepts. An individual reflective analysis of the production.

This option aims to provide pupils with support in literacy and numeracy, as well as offering the opportunity to study towards other level 2 qualifications developing essential IT and work-related skills.

The IT qualification is a TLM Level 2 Extended Certificate in IT User Skills in Open Systems and Enterprise (ITQ). This qualification is entirely coursework based and is graded as a ‘pass’ once complete. A pass is equivalent to 2 x B grades at GCSE. 

As for the second qualification, we’re currently in the process of exploring a range of courses to best suit student needs. The qualification chosen will aim to build crucial work-related skills that will help prepare students for further education and employment. 

Q+ will help students to develop wider skills, gain in confidence and also improve their GCSE results. Some pupils do find the usual number of GCSE subjects to be quite challenging, particularly with coursework commitments. Therefore, a reduction by one subject may provide extra time in order to develop a broad range of skills and concentrate efforts. 

The additional support can focus on written language skills, for example, spelling, punctuation, comprehension and essay writing and mathematical skills. However, there is also opportunity to gain individual help in all curriculum areas. Support is also provided with organisation and study skills. 

Junior Apprenticeships are a unique new way to learn and start training for a future career for 14-16 year olds. During Year 10 and 11 young people on a Junior Apprenticeship programme come to college, instead of school, five days a week during term-time.

On a Junior Apprenticeship you can develop knowledge, skills and gain industry qualifications for your chosen future career. Alongside this you will study English and Maths and continue to sit GCSE exams in these subjects which are important for any future career.

These unique programmes, jointly funded by Cardiff City Council, Cardiff schools and Cardiff and Vale College, offer a brand new route for young people to train for a future career. Our aim is to make you employable and ready to progress onto your next step – a higher level course or apprenticeship in your chosen career at the age of 16.

Junior Apprenticeships are offered in a range of areas including: Catering and Hospitality, Multi Trades, Hair dressing and Beauty.

How can I apply?  To apply you must speak to Mrs Jenkins, Year 9 Achievement Leader, or Mrs Richards, Head of Lower School. The College is unable to take direct applications for Junior Apprenticeships. All applicants must be referred through school or where you are currently registered to learn.

You can find out more on the Cardiff & Vale College website:    CAVC Website

Please note that the Junior Apprenticeship is equivalent to four option choices.