GCSE Art and Design:  OCR Coursework:  60% Examination:  40%

Link - Specification

At GCSE level, the department offers endorsed courses leading to awards in Fine Art, 3D Design (ceramics), or Photography (extra curricular).

Pupils work in sketchbooks or folios developing and enhancing drawing/photographic skills derived from primary sources.

In Fine Art/3D Design, girls build on the creative experiences acquired in years 7-9 using a very wide range of media including printmaking.

Work is annotated using the appropriate subject vocabulary.  Art historical research informs work in progress and influences outcomes, which are realised as paintings, ceramic sculptures or photographs.

All Fine Art and 3D Design pupils are encouraged to attend regular extra curricular classes in life drawing.

Coursework for Fine Art and 3D Design Year 10:  assignment 1:  Still Life Year 11:  assignment 2:  The Human Form

Coursework for Photography Pupils discuss assignments individually with their teacher

All pupils sit a 10 hour timed examination from an early release paper.

Work is marked internally and moderated by a visiting examiner from OCR.

Note:  The new GCSE syllabus from Sept 2009 requires all pupils to be subject to controlled assessment procedures.

A Level Art and Design:  OCR Coursework:  60% Examination:  40%

Link - Specification

At AS/A2 level the department offers endorsed courses leading to awards in Fine Art or Photography (extra curricular).

Pupils are expected to attain at least a grade B at GCSE and demonstrate commitment before they embark upon the AS level course of study.

At AS level, Fine Art and Photography pupils complete two units of work building on the creative experiences acquired at GCSE.

Coursework for Fine Art Portfolio Unit:  “Love”, interpreted through broad research in drawing, printmaking and art history leading to outcomes in painting and mixed media.

Coursework for Photography Portfolio Unit: Pupils discuss their assignment individually with their teacher.

All AS level Fine Art and Photography students sit a 5 hour examination from an early release paper.

At A2 level, Fine Art and Photography pupils complete two further units of work building on the creative experiences acquired at AS.

Coursework for Fine Art and Photography Personal Investigation:  A personal project relating to an area of interest derived from AS.  This will include an essay of 1000-3000 words and be finally realised as painting, mixed media or photographs.

All A2 level Fine Art and Photography students sit a 15 hour examination from an early release paper.

AS/A2 Fine Art pupils are encouraged to attend regular extra curricular classes in life drawing.

Work is marked internally and moderated by a visiting examiner from OCR.