Art & Design
GCSE
| Course Leader: | Ms Coburn |
| Contact: | acoburn@colchesteracademy.org.uk |
| Examination Board: | AQA |
| Specification: | Click here to view |
| Assessment: | 60% coursework, 40% Examination |
What will you study?
Students will be taught how to think creatively and develop their own personal ideas though a balance of skill and knowledge-based learning. They will have access to a wide range of materials and will be taught about a wide range of Art styles and Artists’ work. They will learn how to understand Art as well as how to create it.
This is a broad course that explores practical skills including drawing, painting, printing, and mixed media with the possibility of studying textiles, 3D, photography or creative computer skills as well.
Students will be asked to develop their own ideas from a given starting point and requires students to carry out independent research. Coursework is in the form of varied and extended projects, sometimes lasting as long as two terms.
Will you enjoy this course?
This course will suit students who enjoy working independently and are willing to carry out their own individual, independent research into a given topic or theme. A willingness to experiment without fear of failure is an advantage.
The course is flexible and can take into consideration individual student’s strengths, weaknesses and preferences, to some extent. Students who do well in the subject show an interest in the artworks of other artists and are able to express their own ideas and opinions through their own artwork and written notes. Obviously, an ability to draw is an advantage but it is more important to be willing to learn and improve and to be genuinely interested in the subject.
Career possibilities?
The creative industries are the 3rd largest employer in the country and only 5% of creative jobs are expected to be replaced by robots, which is a fraction of other subject areas. Art develops the whole student. It offers them the opportunity to develop all the skills that employers and further education establishments are looking for. For example - working independently, problem solving, organisation, cooperation with others, lateral thinking, creative thinking, sustained effort, self-management, dexterity, accuracy, observation, critical thinking, empathy with others, understanding and tolerance of others and many, many more skills that are highly transferable to any job or course.