This course focuses on developing students’ painting, drawing and printmaking skills.  Students also have the opportunity to complete 3D work, including ceramics.  Students will study the formal elements of Art, including line, tone, colour, form, texture, pattern and composition.  Students will also research the work of other artists.  Students must be enthusiastic about Art and Design and be prepared to work outside lesson time to achieve the best results possible. 

Course content  

In Year 9, students complete a range of skills-based projects in preparation for the two components that count towards their GCSE grade in Year 10 and Year 11.   

Fine Art Portfolio (60% of GCSE grade)  

Students produce a portfolio of work for this Component.  In response to a starting point, students research their ideas and complete observational drawings and paintings.  Students can also make prints and 3D work or explore digital art.  Students study the work of a range of inspirational artists.  Students then develop their own original ideas and create a final piece of artwork based on their research and experimentation.

Externally Set Task (40% of GCSE grade)  

Students choose a starting point from a selection provided by OCR.  They research and develop   ideas based on this starting point.  Students make observational drawings and paintings and research the work of other artists.  They then experiment with a range of media and materials and develop ideas for a final piece of artwork.  The final piece is completed in a 10-hour examination period spread over two days. 

Assessment  

All students’ work is marked by LCHS and moderated by the examination board.  GCSE Art and Design: Fine Art is marked using four Assessment Objectives:  

Assessment Objective 1:        Develop and investigate ideas  

Assessment Objective 2:        Explore ideas, techniques and materials  

Assessment Objective 3:        Record ideas and observations  

Assessment Objective 4:        Present a personal response  

Opportunities beyond GCSE Art and Design: Fine Art  

Students can go on to the highly successful A Level courses in Fine Art, Fashion and Photography offered by LCHS Art Department.  From there, many students choose to take a Foundation course in Art and Design (for example, at Lincoln University) or alternatively progress directly to a university level course.  On the Fine Art course, students develop skills such as creative problem solving and independent thinking, which are always in demand with employers.