GCSE Fine Art offers students the opportunity to explore the theme of Structures through a hands-on and creative journey. The course begins with teacher-led instruction, where students learn how to research, develop ideas, and experiment with different media. As the course progresses, students become more independent, selecting their own subthemes, artists, and techniques to explore. This progression encourages self-expression and critical thinking, while building skills in project leadership and independent work. GCSE Fine Art provides a strong foundation for future creative careers and is an excellent pathway into Art and Design A-Level or any creative T-Level courses.
For more information about the structure of the course, how it is assessed and how it runs please see the GCSE Fine Art tab at the bottom of this page.
GCSE Textiles Design invites students to explore the theme What Lies Beneath, starting with an exciting underwater-themed bodice project. The course begins with teacher-led lessons, guiding students through the process of research, development, and experimentation with various textile techniques. As the course progresses, students take on more independence, selecting their own subthemes, materials, and textiles techniques to explore further. This approach fosters creativity, critical thinking, and the ability to manage a project from start to finish. GCSE Textiles Design provides an excellent foundation for creative careers in fashion, interior design, or any art-based industry, and is a perfect stepping stone into A-Level Art and Design courses, Fashion courses, Textiles courses or creative T-Level courses.
For more information about the structure of the course, how it is assessed and how it runs please see the GCSE Textiles Design tab at the bottom of this page.
Curriculum
In Years 7, 8, and 9, students rotate between Art, Music, Drama, and Textiles, engaging in a variety of creative projects that develop their artistic skills and understanding. Each year, students in Art undertake a project inspired by a different artist, focusing on key formal elements of art. In Year 7, students explore Colour, Shape, Form, and Composition through a project about bugs, inspired by print artist Alison Headley. Year 8 students focus on Tone, Texture, and Line in a project about light and shadow, drawing inspiration from fine artist Ian Murphy. In Year 9, students have two projects: the first delves into Shape, Space, and Composition using rusting items as inspiration, while the second explores Colour, Form, and Pattern through a study of marine life, inspired by the vibrant work of Dean Crouser. These projects encourage students to develop technical skills and a deeper appreciation for the world of art, all while engaging with the work of renowned contemporary and traditional artists.
Studying an art subject at GCSE, whether Textiles Design or Fine Art, offers students the opportunity to develop both their creativity and critical thinking skills in a supportive, hands-on environment. These courses allow students to express themselves through a range of techniques and media, while also gaining a deeper understanding of the artistic process. Textiles Design encourages exploration of fabric, design, and construction, preparing students for a range of creative careers, while Fine Art allows for a more traditional approach, focusing on drawing, painting, and sculpture. Both options provide students with valuable skills in problem-solving, time management, and independent thinking, all of which are highly transferable to further education and future careers. Whether students are passionate about crafting unique designs or exploring their artistic vision through various mediums, GCSE Art helps to build a strong foundation for future creativity and success.
The department boasts excellent facilities, including a specialist textiles room, a kiln for pottery, and a fully equipped art studio. These dedicated spaces provide students with the tools and resources they need to explore and develop their artistic skills across a range of mediums.
Year 7 are introduced to a range of core skills and techniques. The “Bugs” project focuses on introducing the Formal Elements specifically Colour, Shape, Form and Composition. Over the course of the project students learn about colour theory, how to mix colours, how colours interact with each other, observational drawings, mono-printing and poly tile printing inspired by Alison Headley.
Year 8 develop their understanding of a range of core skills and techniques. The “Light and Shadows” project focuses developing the formal elements, specifically tone and texture. Over the course of the project students learn about shading, crosshatching, observational drawing, charcoal and the use of both physical and visual texture in their artwork inspired by Ian Murphy.
During Year 9, students are introduced to two GCSE style projects. The projects develop the understanding of the 4 assessment objectives: research, refinement, presentation and outcome. This gives students a real opportunity to develop skills and techniques required at GCSE level as well as understand the requirements of the course. The first project Rust focuses on presentation and outcome, allowing the students creative freedom to explore the topic and techniques shown to them. Over the course of the project students practise observational drawing, chalk, charcoal, soft pastels, oil pastels and watercolour painting techniques. The project leads onto building up a personal response in mixed media, which shows independence and the developing skill level. The second project Marine Life focuses on research and refinement, teaching the students how to research an artist, have that artist inspire your own artwork and how to refine a technique you already know. Over the course of the project students learn about layering colour pencils, oil pastels, and learn multiple watercolour techniques. The project builds upon skills that have been learnt over the previous years of KS3 and shows the ability to develop and improve a known skill.
We offer the AQA Art and Design: Fine Art course, and students can choose only one Art and Design GCSE. This means students can either take Fine Art or Textiles Design, as they are both part of the same GCSE. The course is divided into two main components: 60% Coursework and 40% Externally Set Project (Exam).
The coursework begins in September of Year 10 and runs through to December of Year 11. All work produced during lessons in this period will contribute towards the final coursework grade. The Externally Set Project starts in January of Year 11 and continues until Easter. This component culminates in a 10-hour practical exam, spread across two days, where students complete their final piece based on the externally set theme.
Assessment:
Students are assessed across four key areas, each contributing 25% to their overall grade:
- AO1: Research – Students research artists and draw inspiration from their work to inform and develop their own ideas.
- AO2: Refinement – This focuses on how students experiment with techniques and refine their work to improve its quality and impact.
- AO3: Presentation – This area assesses how well students communicate and present their ideas and development in their sketchbooks.
- AO4: Outcome – The final outcome measures how successfully students can create their own artistic responses based on their research and refinement.
Component 1: Coursework (60%)
The theme of the coursework is Structure, and students begin by exploring this concept, with a particular focus on natural structures. They will examine the work of photographer Karl Blossfeldt, creating both a clay response and a lino print based on his intricate close-up images of plants. The next phase focuses on Anatomical Structures, where students study the work of artist David Oliveira and create responses through techniques such as sgraffito, continuous line drawing, and 3D wire sculpture. In the second term of Year 10, students gain the freedom to choose their own subtheme, with previous students selecting themes such as architectural structures, narrative structures, and facial structures. They will continue to develop their chosen theme throughout the remainder of Year 10, refining their work by researching relevant artists and experimenting with various techniques. To assess their progress, students will complete a 5-hour mock exam, where they will produce an extended response to their theme. In Year 11 from September till December, students will plan and create their final outcome, a piece or series of artworks that encapsulates their project and showcases the skills they have developed throughout the course.
Component 2: Externally Set Assessment (40%)
In January of Year 11, students will receive the exam paper from the exam board, which contains seven starting points. From these, students must choose one theme to explore in a fast-paced project. Over a period of several weeks, they will research relevant artists, refine their skills and techniques, and develop a detailed plan for their final outcome. The final piece will be completed during a 10-hour practical exam, spread across two days, which takes place before Easter. Once the exam is complete, students cannot add to or modify their work, marking the conclusion of their course.
We offer the AQA Art and Design: Textile Design course, and students can choose only one Art and Design GCSE. This means students can either take Fine Art or Textiles Design, as they are both part of the same GCSE. The course is divided into two main components: 60% Coursework and 40% Externally Set Project (Exam).
The coursework begins in September of Year 10 and runs through to December of Year 11. All work produced during lessons in this period will contribute towards the final coursework grade. The Externally Set Project starts in January of Year 11 and continues until Easter. This component culminates in a 10-hour practical exam, spread across two days, where students complete their final piece based on the externally set theme.
Assessment:
Students are assessed across four key areas, each contributing 25% to their overall grade:
- AO1: Research – Students research artists/designers and draw inspiration from their work to inform and develop their own ideas.
- AO2: Refinement – This focuses on how students experiment with textiles and construction techniques and refine their work to improve its quality and impact.
- AO3: Presentation – This area assesses how well students communicate and present their ideas and development in their sketchbooks.
- AO4: Outcome – The final outcome measures how successfully students can create their own artistic responses based on their research and refinement.
Component 1: Coursework
The theme of the coursework is What Lies Beneath, and students begin by focusing on Under the Water, exploring the intricate works of textile artists Emily Notman and Mariko Kusumoto to inspire the creation of an underwater-themed bodice. In the second term, the theme shifts to Under the Skin, where students study the fashion designs of Iris Van Herpen and the textiles work of Juana Gomez. Following this, students have the freedom to create a personal outcome that reflects their interpretation of Under the Skin, developing their ideas through a combination of research and experimentation. Students will have the opportunity to select their own materials and techniques to express their creative vision. They will complete a 5-hour mock exam, in which they will produce an extended response to their chosen theme. In Year 11, students will plan and create their final outcome, which will be a piece or series of textile artwork that synthesizes their research, development, and technical skills.
Component 2: Externally Set Assessment
In January of Year 11, students will receive the exam paper from the exam board, which contains seven starting points. From these, students must choose one theme to explore in a fast-paced project. Over a period of several weeks, they will research relevant artists/designers, refine their skills and techniques, and develop a detailed plan for their final outcome. The final piece will be completed during a 10-hour practical exam, spread across two days, which takes place before Easter. Once the exam is complete, students cannot add to or modify their work, marking the conclusion of their course.
