ART GCSE LONDON BOARD

The London GCSE Syllabus aims to develop in candidates an understanding of the nature of visual and critical thinking.

Pupils will be encouraged and helped to personally explore themes and ideas both visually and through the work of other artists and peoples. This exploration will be through a range of art, craft and design processes in two/or three dimensions, sketchbooks and where appropriate information technology.

Pupils will be developing study skills that determine a way of thinking and working - INVESTIGATION - DOCUMENTATION - EXPERIMENTATION - REALISATION.

Assessment will cover two areas - coursework (60%) which will include sketchbooks and a terminal examination (40%) which will consist of supporting studies and a timed test paper.

It is expected that the course will include trips to galleries, exhibitions and events both locally and further afield.

The GCSE Examination in Art and Design provides a broad by balanced syllabus with a range of creative opportunities which hitherto has not been available to pupils in years 7, 8 and 9.

There are two distinct types of syllabi, namely: Endorsed and Unendorsed, and since the substance of the teaching programme in Year 10 is compatible with both, there is no need for pupils to commit themselves to either syllabus until Year 11.

The term ‘Endorsed’ means a specialised course in, for example, Painting and Drawing, or, for the more design orientated pupil, Graphics. The Term Unendorsed promotes self-expression through personal experience and discovery and encourages imaginative and observational work through the practices of Fine Art in the broadest sense.

Throughout the course individual achievement is monitored and recorded by continuous assessment. This helps pupils evaluate their progress on a regular basis. Coursework accounts for 60% of the total marks. Towards the end of the course there is a Controlled Test. This test accounts for the remaining 40% of the total marks. The Controlled Test is set by the Board over a prescribed period of time after which the work of each candidate is displayed in a celebratory group exhibition. Each candidates work is then assessed as a whole and moderated, both internally and externally, before a final grade is given.