Chelmsford County High School for Girls

Subjects

Art & Design

Art and Design is both a form of communication and a means of expression of ideas and feelings. It is a language which complements those of the literary, mathematical, scientific and factually based subjects, and is especially concerned with the development of those complex mental processes involved in visual perception and aesthetic experience.

The classwork in Art and Design is a natural progression from Key Stage 3 and builds on that foundation to tackle a broad range of skills over the two new courses. Students are encouraged to develop visual perception and understanding including the creative, imaginative and practical skills for working in arts, craft and design. The course aims to combine the necessary breadth and depth of study with the freedom of choice required to accomodate a wide range of abilities, material resources and staffing specialisms.

Areas of study include drawing, painting, graphics, design, three dimensional work, textiles and mixed media. A study relating to a gallery or exhibition visit is made and reference to painters, sculptors, etc., backs up class work throughout the course.

Art and Design GCSE is a lively, challenging course where no single skill is valued more than another. Personal development of each individuals special aptitudes and interests is encouraged resulting in confidence and a sense of achievement.

The A Level syllabus has changed to link with the style of working at GCSE. The emphasis is on course work and personal projects and has its grounding in GCSE.

The subject has relevance in architecture, engineering, industrial design, graphic design, illustrations, textiles and much more, in this "media" "consumer" age, giving the breadth of experience required by Universities.

The examination is taken in March during Year 11. Students are required to produce a unit of work from conception to realisation over a fixed period of time. They are given twelve open-ended starting points and are expected to complete this unit within ten hours working time.

Candidates are expected to present for assessment three units of work. All studies that have been contributed to the realisation of the unit of work (sketch books, study sheets, experiments, maquettes must be included in the unit.

All work, including end of year and mock examinations contribute to coursework. All parts of the course are marked in school by the department and a selection externally moderated.

Examination Board

OCR

Derivation of Final Grade

60% Coursework
40% Externally set examination