Key Stage 4
The Fine Art curriculum at KS4 allows students to fully develop their creative potential by choosing either GCSE Art, Craft and Design or Three-Dimensional Design. These courses provide a rich learning environment that promotes in-depth experimentation, self-discovery, and thorough preparation for the challenges of GCSE-level study.
In Years 10 and 11, GCSE portfolio themes include Natural Forms, Still Life, Cubism, and Cultural Investigation. Students engage in a variety of creative processes, including painting, drawing, printmaking, clay construction, sculpture, and mixed-media work.
The Art and Design curriculum is designed to equip students with the technical and procedural skills needed for artistic expression while also giving them access to the deeper, more powerful knowledge of Art. Through this, they gain an understanding of how art has shaped society and defined human experience over time.
This is achieved through a structured sequence of observational and practical studies, covering everything from formal elements of drawing to the analysis of artists’ work and material exploration to inform and enhance practical outcomes.
GCSE ART AND DESIGN FINE ART - OCR
C/W 60% CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT 40%
- Mind map
- Collage
- Traditional techniques
- Artist research
- Observational drawings
- Develop skills in 2D media
- Close-up studies
- Choosing appropriate artist
- Choosing appropriate media
- Creating own representations – artist inspiration and becoming exhibition ready
- Choosing appropriate artist
- Choosing appropriate media
- Creating own representations
- Taking own photos and working from these
- Creating individual representations from a set brief
- Choose appropriate media for a final outcome
- Adapt compositions and media choices
- Develop ideas into a final outcome - Mock Exam AO1 and AO3 focus
- Choosing appropriate topic
- Evaluating own strengths and weaknesses
- Developing drawing skills from observation
- Developing skills in a range of media
- Ability to choose appropriate media
- Develop experimental skills
- In-depth written work
- Refining and developing skills
- Higher level thinking bookwork and written work
Assessment:
Throughout the year, we conduct assessments each term to ensure that key skills are fully understood. This allows students to build on their knowledge and achieve more creative outcomes.
We use the marking criteria from the exam board to help support pupils to deliver a creative process that engages the learners to create outcomes that are independent and imaginative.
Homework:
All homework assignments are used to aid the content of the course and support the learners' journey throughout the GCSE art and design process.
GCSE ART AND DESIGN FINE ART - OCR
C/W 60% CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT 40%:
Art and Design within year 11 is therefore designed to enable our students to develop the procedural skills necessary to express themselves and access the powerful knowledge of Art, recognising how Art has shaped our society over time and helped to define human experience. This is achieved through sequential studies of observation and practical investigation, ranging from skills developed through the formal elements of drawing, to the analysis of artists' work and the exploration of materials to inform practical outcomes.
During year 11, students continue with their art portfolio and complete their N.E.A. then the focus in the spring term is the controlled assessment which concludes with a 10-hour outcome under exam conditions.
- Year 11 Mock Exam AO2 and AO4 focus
- Choosing appropriate topic
- Evaluating own strengths and weaknesses
- Developing drawing skills from observation
- Developing skills in a range of media
- Ability to choose appropriate media
- Develop experimental skills
- In-depth written work
- Refining and developing skills
- Higher level thinking bookwork and written work Exam
- Choosing appropriate topic
- Evaluating own strengths and weaknesses
- Developing drawing skills from observation
- Developing skills in a range of media
- Ability to choose appropriate media
- Develop experimental skills
- In-depth written work
- Refining and developing skills
- Higher level thinking bookwork and written work
Assessment:
Throughout the year, we conduct assessments each term to ensure that key skills are fully understood. This allows students to build on their knowledge and achieve more creative outcomes.
We use the marking criteria from the exam board to help support students to deliver a creative process that engages the learners to create outcomes that are independent and imaginative.
Homework:
All homework assignments are used to aid the content of the course and support the learners' journey throughout the GCSE art and design process. All homework is completed in a sketchbook and this aids their creative journey.