Art and Design GCSE

Fine Art / unendorsed / Textiles / Photography

The study of Art and Design offers students the opportunity to develop their creative skills and to enrich the quality of their lives. The vast majority of students who study at this level obtain a great
sense of fulfilment and enjoyment as well as a sense of pride in their achievements.

GCSE students work with a wide range of materials across different disciplines, which might include drawing and painting, printmaking, textiles, ceramics and sculpture.  Students can specialise in any of these disciplines or opt for a combination of at least two.  Enthusiasm, the desire to be creative and genuine commitment is all that is needed to succeed on this course.


3-D Creature and Model Making

Creature design, sculpture and model making are taught in this course.   

This extraordinary course introduces the student to the basic elements of 3D model making and creature design. The course covers the design and creation of maquettes for C.G.I. reference models followed by the basics of anatomy, sculpture and the creation of characters for film. Casting, mould-making, and a demonstration of animatronics are covered in this course.

Emphasis is on encouraging students to explore the full range of 3D design possibilities using a range of materials like clay, wire, cardboard, latex, plaster and modroc.  Pupils will experience and learn a variety of techniques providing the knowledge to allow them to make their own informed choices as the course progresses.

The steps taught in class mimic those used in the field, from the conceptualization of the art to the final 3D model produced by a shop that creates animatronics, creatures and models for film and television.

Career Goals

This course is specifically structured to teach the design and construction of prosthetic characters which could enable you to work in a makeup effects or as a freelance makeup effects artist.

Art-Graphics

The students will work in one or more areas of Graphic Design, they can select from a range of study areas within Graphic Communications including Advertising, Animation, Design for Print and Digital Media.

Students will have a fabulous opportunity to explore overlapping areas and combinations of areas such as Illustration, Advertising, Packaging design, print for fashion, Animation such as Wallace and Gromit, Digital media, Web Design, Television, Multimedia. With research into new media practices such as computer generated imagery.

With the availability of a new photography suite students have a fantastic opportunity to do Lens-based and light-based media and photography.

The Examination

The examination takes the form of an exhibition of coursework that has been produced over the two year course.  A controlled test (unaided work) is marked alongside this coursework and results in an overall grade awarded to the student.

Coursework will include projects based on two or more of the following areas – Specialist Textiles, Fine Art and unendorsed Art and Design.  Students will be encouraged to research artists/craftspersons and cultures both western and non-western and use influences of the above to enhance their own work.

Students will compile their research and development of a project theme in a sketchbook and emphasis will be placed on on-going evaluations.

Visits/Artists’ Workshops/Exhibitions

As part of the course students will participate in educational visits to local, regional and national galleries.  Opportunity is made for visiting artists to deliver workshops on particular art specialisms and for pupils to exhibit their artwork.  All these opportunities are funded from the school however optional contributions are always welcome.

Further Art and Design Education

Art, Design, Textiles, Graphics, 3D sculpture can all be taken at ‘A’ level and GVNQ.  Local Sixth Form Colleges provide courses in these and other aspects of Art and Design.

During the course visiting lecturers from local colleges such as City College, Eccles College and Pendleton College are often organised.

Other courses in Art and Design are provided at technical colleges leading
to BTEC and Foundation Studies which can also lead to a full time degree course (BA Hons.) in Art and Design.