In Art, Craft and Design pupils develop an understanding of the visual, tactile and sensory world around them and developing an understanding Art and Design activities pupils can communicate ideas and meanings, and learn to think and act as artists. In this way pupils develop and appreciate the role of Art and how it enriches all of our lives. The four key concepts are creativity, competence, cultural understanding and critical understanding.

In Years 10 and 11, pupils follow the AQA GCSE Art and Design course or complete the Bronze Arts Award.

At Key Stage 4 pupils follow the AQA Art and Design syllabus. The GCSE course includes three coursework projects over two years and a final exam project. The coursework is worth 60% and the exam 40% of the final mark.

The aim of this course is to encourage students to:

• Develop as effective learners with enquiring minds.
• Develop creative skills, through learning to use imagination and intuition when exploring and creating images and artefacts. Become confident in taking risks when exploring and experimenting with ideas, materials, tools and techniques.
• Develop skills in a broad range of media, materials and techniques including, traditional and new media and technologies.
• Develop cultural knowledge, understanding and application of art, craft, design, media and technologies in historical and contemporary contexts, societies and cultures.
• Develop personal attributes including self-confidence, resilience, perseverance, self-discipline and commitment.

AO1 Develop your ideas through investigations informed by contextual & other sources demonstrating analytical & cultural understanding.

AO2 Refine your ideas through experimenting & selecting appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques & processes.

AO3 Record ideas, observations & insights relevant to your intentions in visual & / or other forms.

AO4 Present a personal, informed & meaningful response demonstrating analytical understanding, realising intentions & where appropriate, making connections between visual, written, oral or other elements.

Bronze Arts Award is a Level 1 qualification on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and is open to young people aged 11 to 25.

To achieve a Bronze Arts Award, young people collect evidence in an individual arts log or portfolio of their experiences of:

• Developing their interests, knowledge and skills through actively participating in any art form
• Experience of at least one arts event/experience as an audience member and their review of that event/experience
• Researching the career and work of an artist or craftsperson that inspires them
• Experience of passing on an arts skill