GCSE ART & DESIGN

OVERVIEW

There are two components: Component 1 (60%) and Component 2 (40%).
It places an emphasis on drawing, and on understanding and applying the design process.
It encourages students to engage with the creative and cultural industries;
It offers opportunities to build on the skills and capabilities developed through the delivery of the Northern Ireland Curriculum at Key Stage 3.
It offers broad and flexible content, allowing students to pursue a range of creative pathways.
It also offers students the opportunity to develop Cross-Curricular Skills and the Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities that allow them to progress to A level and/or other courses of study or employment.

SPECIFICATION SUMMARY

Component 1 (consists of Part A and Part B)

Part A: Exploratory Portfolio

Controlled assessment

Part B: Investigating the Creative and Cultural Industries

Controlled assessment

Component 2: Externally Set Assignment

BENEFITS TO STUDENTS

Students will:

Develop knowledge, understanding and awareness of the purpose of art, craft and design in a variety of contexts through their own work and the research of others’ work;
Have opportunities to actively engage in the creative process of art, craft and design, developing their creative, imaginative and intuitive capabilities, critical and reflective thinking skills and technical skills; and
Be encouraged to work independently and with a broad range of media to experiment, take risks and refine ideas and outcomes.
Making prototypes for designs or sculptures, scaling up, drawing nets and visualising constructed forms and shapes; and
Using digital graphic design, website design, video art, animation, social media and experimenting with relevant software to help explore and realise creative intentions.

ART & DESIGN (A LEVEL) - COLLABORATION

Awarding Body: CCEA

Course Codes: Subject code: 3510, AS Level Qan: 601/8450/4, A2 Level Qan: 601/8451/6

Location: Fort Hill Integrated College

Specific Entry Requirements: Students must have obtained A* - B grades at GCSE The course is designed to encourage students to progress from the study of GCSE Art & Design. It builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills developed at GCSE and KS3. Students who have studied Art & Design successfully to Key Stage 3 may also be considered by submission of a suitable portfolio.

Course Content This specification aims to encourage students to develop:

Intellectual, imaginative, creative and intuitive capabilities
Investigative, analytical, experimental, practical, technical and expressive skills
Aesthetic understanding and critical judgement
Independence in generating, refining and communicating their own ideas, intentions and personal outcomes
Interest in, enthusiasm for and enjoyment of art, craft & design;

Assessment Methods This qualification is available as one of the following:

A general Art & Design qualification

A Specialism in in photography and lens-based media

A specialism in three-dimensional design

A specialism in textiles

It includes 4 units that are internally assessed and externally moderated, except for the written investigation element of Unit A2: Personal and critical Investigation, which is externally assessed.
There are variation in learning outcomes across units to reflect the assessment objective weighting and progression from AS level to A2. For this reason, each unit has an assessment matrix for its specific learning outcomes.

Students can take:

The AS course as a final qualification; or
The AS units plus the A2 units for a full GCE A Level qualification.

AS 1: Experimental portfolio

Students develop, explore and record ideas.

Assessment Objectives 1, 2, and 3 only.

50% of AS, 20% of A Level.

AS 2: Personal Responses

Students present a personal outcome. This is brought to completion during a 10-hour controlled test.

Assessment Objective 4 more heavily weighted than

Assessment Objectives 1, 2 and 3.

50% of AS, 20% of A Level.

A2 1: Personal and Critical Investigation

Written investigation 1000-3000 words (externally assessed)

20% of A2, 12% of A Level / 40% of A2, 24% of A Level.

Written and practical works informs each other and are integrated, but marked separately. Assessment Objectives 1, 2 and 3 only. 60% of A2, 36% of A Level.

A2 2: Thematic Outcome

Students present an outcome in response to the theme. This is brought to completion during a 15-hour controlled test. Assessment Objective 4 more heavily weighted than Assessment Objectives 1, 2 and 3.

40% of A2, 24% of A Level.

Progression: It gives students a sound basis for the progression to higher education courses in Art & Design or studies related. Qualifications in Art & Design can also lead to employment in many other areas. Provides valuable preparation for careers in design, graphic, architecture, advertising, photography, fashion, publishing, teaching and many other areas of Art % Design. Further information can be acquired by visiting the CCEA website and Art & Design micro site. The course will also provide you with creative thinking skills valued by many employers.

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