If any GCSE textbooks were to be prescribed for the art course they would surely be Ernst Gombrich’s comprehensive ‘The Story of Art’ or Helen Gardner’s ‘Art through the Ages? However, the dynamic nature of art in our contemporary culture makes even this prescription impossible. Students are required to enhance their understanding and appreciation of this subject by reading extensively about the story of art and the skills, techniques, methods and processes wherever possible.

How Parents can Help
It is extremely important that students meet all the coursework deadlines to complete the coursework. Parents can also keep an eye on progress through the course and through the GCSE grades via the progress sheets given to the students.

There are so many good galleries and art studios to visit!.
It is also extremely important that students meet all the coursework deadlines to complete the assessment objectives. Parents can keep an eye on progress through the course and through the GCSE grades via the progress sheets given to the students.

Our current Art course at GCSE follows the AQA Examination Board. To follow this course students’ need to draw upon skills acquired during Key Stage 3. Doing this they will enjoy a more independent approach to work and experiment with a variety of materials using digital photography, printmaking, painting, drawing and three-dimensional forms. Although it is not necessary to be highly skilled at drawing to take Art, enthusiasm and commitment is needed to do well.

Testing and Assessment
Each coursework unit is assessed according to the four key GCSE assessment objectives out of 20. Students have individual tutorials and during these their progress is monitored. It is essential that the students familiarise themselves with the AQA assessment taxonomy.

Assessment is realised through discussion and marking takes place at the end of each unit of work. To assist the students in ensuring their progress students are given the assessment objectives with the marks out of 20. The final assessment is made up of 60% coursework and 40 % externally set assignment.

Textbooks
Under the heading ‘Coursework’ on the GCSE Art and Design AQA website there is a list of art resources available for the course. So, reading widely and finding out about different artists is always part of the learning process and is to be recommended. Yet, having the opportunities to visit local art galleries or art studios to extend the students’ awareness of artists, craftsmen and designers at work is just as important.

Year 11
GCSE Examination
The art examination will take place in April. The exam paper will be given out at the start of February and students will have four weeks to prepare for the exam. The preparation time involves students producing observation work, artist studies and include experiments with materials and computer enhancements. Students should aim to also include some printing techniques in their examination. The final piece will be produced in the 10 hour examination which is over set periods of time.

Homework
The GCSE coursework process is ongoing in the students’ sketchbooks and therefore there is always homework. Students should understand the coursework objectives and can meet these requirements by continuing to develop their sketchbooks for homework throughout the course.