Fine Art can be defined as work intended to communicate aesthetic, intellectual or conceptual ideas and meaning, rather than to serve a practical or commercial function. For example, it could be simply to observe and record people, places and things in new and unique ways. The course focuses on four objectives:
Develop - develop ideas through investigations, showing critical understanding of sources.
Refine - refine work by exploring ideas and experimenting with different materials.
Record - record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses.
Present - present and produce a meaningful response that realises intentions and shows you have an understanding of visual language.
There are many skills, techniques, materials, processes and concepts that are essential to all areas of study in Fine Art. Students will develop work in at least one of the following: drawing, installation, mixed media, printing, painting and sculpture.
Curriculum Map - Art
Curriculum Map - Year 10 BTEC Art
Year 11 Course Title: Art, Craft and Design - Fine Art
Exam Board & Code: Edexcel 1FA0 Full GCSE Course Specification (PDF)
Assessment:
Component 1: 60% (72 marks) Personal Portfolio (internally set)
Component 2: 40% (72 marks) Externally Set Assignment
Year 9
Terms 1 - 3: Portraits
Year 9 is the start of GCSE Fine Art, where students will spend the year looking at the theme of ‘Portraits’. Students will explore numerous materials and techniques, as well as studying the work of other artists and Art movements.
Students will need to work independently to show progress in their sketchbook, including critically analysing their own work in order to aid progress.
The majority of Year 9 is teacher-led (in contrast to independent learning in Year 10 and 11); this is so students focus on the skills required to succeed in GCSE Fine Art. However, towards the end of Year 9 students will be expected to be original and think of their own ideas based on the theme of ‘Portraits’ in order to create their own final piece.
Year 10
Terms 1 - 3: Freedom
Throughout Year 10 students work on a project based on ‘Freedom’. All students are encouraged to work independently and develop their own ideas and artistic outcomes based around the theme.
They use lesson and home learning time to complete various tasks in their sketchbook outlined by the teacher each half term. All students are working towards a ten hour (two day) exam at the end of the year, which shows how they have developed both their Art skills and ideas for ‘Freedom’.
Year 11
Term 1: Mock Exam
This is usually the past exam paper from the previous year. Students use the Edexcel exam paper and plan independent journeys in their sketchbooks to improve their art which culminates in a 10 hour exam, where they produce a final piece.
Term 2: Exam
The Edexcel exam paper is published in January and the students then have Term 2 to create a sketchbook which works towards a two day exam to create a final piece.
Term 3:
Any remaining time in Year 11 is used to complete unfinished work, improve coursework or complete extension tasks.
