Art & Design Department: KS4 Course Options
Watch the video for more information on GCSE Fine Art and GCSE Photography.
Fine Art GCSE and Photography GCSE
Do Fine Art and Photography GCSE include exams?
Yes, but they are different to most other subjects. Fine Art and Photography are different endorsements within the Edexcel Art & Design GCSE qualification. This means that they follow the same assessment structure. There are two projects that make up the coursework (60%) and then a third project set by the exam board (40%) which features a 10 hour exam. This exam takes place over two days within the Art room and involves students creating a final outcome for their third project; independently and in exam conditions. Do Fine Art and Photography GCSE have much written work?
Both Art and Photography are practical subjects with a focus on developing creative knowledge and skills. However, an important part of the assessment criteria within both subjects is dependent upon analysis of art/photography work as well as annotation to describe and reflect on the student’s own work and developing ideas. Therefore written elements are integral to the course. See images of student work for examples. I’m torn between Fine Art and Photography. Which should I choose?
It is quite common to feel torn between these two subjects.Within both areas there is a certain amount of flexibility in terms of opportunities to experiment with different media. For example within Art there will always be a need to take some photographs, and within Photography there will be opportunities to develop photography work using artistic methods such as drawing/painting into photography work if you so choose. I would suggest looking at the examples of sketchbooks for both subjects and consider which you are more drawn to. Is Art/Photography GCSE difficult?
This is a common question which I believe stems from reports from friends or relatives who may have taken one of these subjects. I firmly believe that if you enjoy Art/Photography and are hardworking then these are not difficult. They are challenging and demanding of time but I am often told by students that they really enjoy their Art/Photography homework.What media will be covered within Art?
There is a whole range of media that you will be introduced to and then further along the course there will also be opportunities to develop and experiment in more independent ways. For example there may be a new technique relevant to your personal project that the teacher can direct you to.Within the Global Cultures and The Natural World projects the media will include acrylic painting, watercolour painting, experimental drawing techniques, batik, embroidery, printmaking (such as mono printing and collagraph printing), ceramics and photography. Is the focus only on digital photography or does it incorporate some analogue?
Within this course there is an emphasis on digital photography. We are fortunate to have DSLR and bridge cameras as well as access to PhotoShop for digital editing.We do have a dark room which we hope to set up with film processing equipment as the department grows. Currently non digital photography opportunities within the course include accessing workshops such as the camera obscura workshop delivered by The Photographers’ Gallery in London, and use of camera less photography techniques such as cyanotypes and sun prints. There are also opportunities to develop photographs using non-digital methods such as photomontage. Is there a required equipment list or recommended equipment list for these courses?
We sell Art packs and Photography packs which are available to purchase via ParentPay prior to starting Year 10. It is not compulsory to buy a pack however it is strongly recommended, especially for Art as it means you will have access to media when working at home. If you already have the listed media then you may choose to not buy a pack, however you will still need to buy a sketchbook (Photography A4 and Art A3).For Photography you will need to be able to take photographs outside of school but a camera phone and ability to upload the photographs is all that is required. If you do wish to invest in a camera then a bridge camera is a good stepping stone to a more expensive DSLR. -Art pack: A3 sketchbook, A3 clip folder, watercolours, specialist pencils, acrylic paint, palette, paint brushes, pencils and graphite stick.- Photography pack: A4 black paper sketchbook, A3 clip folder, white gel pen, fine liner pens, glue stick, sun print paper. How will taking a creative course help me in the future?
Even if you’re not planning an artistic career in the future, developing skills such as creativity, innovation and originality are highly valued by employers. This is especially important in the context of the developing careers market which is being influenced by advances in technology.The creatives industries make up 1 in 11 UK jobs are there are many creative options out there; from video game designers to photojournalists and illustrators. Will I be suited to the course? What skills are important?
You must enjoy Art or Photography when choosing to study them at KS4 as they are time consuming subjects. Demonstrating good artistic skills at KS3 is of course important but other skills include presentation and being able to communicate visually. These are visual subjects and your sketchbook is not an exercise book like in other subject areas. Great thought and planning should go into every page, whether it’s for Art or Photography. See the examples provided.How is the work assessed?
For both GCSE courses the work is marked by your teacher using an assessment framework based on four areas. Assessment objectives 1-4 cover artist/photographer research and analysis, experimenting with new media and techniques, developing ideas and refining work and then presenting a final outcome which summarises your project. At the end of the course an exam moderator will visit the school and look at a random sample of work to confirm or alter the grades. The work will be displayed in preparation for this moderation and is then followed by an exhibition which is open to family and friends. Silver Arts Award follows a similar process whereby a trained teacher marks the work and then an external moderator examines a sample. Silver Arts Award also includes an exhibition.
