Click here to learn about how the Curriculum is planned, delivered and assessed in Design.

Years 7 & 8 (KS3)
Years 9 - 11 (KS4)

For GCSE Art, we use AQA as the exam board. Links to the exam board's specifications can be found below:

AQA Art and Design

KS3

KS3 are assessed on skills that are developed throughout the Design rotations and are based on 3 criteria;

• Researching and Developing
• Making
• Evaluating and Adapting

In each rotation students will be provided with the ‘Key point indicators’ that they must reach to be ‘On’ or ‘Above’ target.

KS4

At GCSE students will be assessed on the grade criteria from the exam board.

Controlled Assessment – 60%
During the course at KS4 students will learn techniques and processes based on a theme and/or artists. They will have guided starting points but independent work and research is encouraged for students to develop a personal style and response.

Exam  – 40%
The exam at the end of the course is a practical exam that consists of approximately 20 hours of preparatory time and 10 hours (over two days) in the art room to produce the final outcome.

All students have the right to express and explore their creativity and are entitled to:

• A positive, safe, learning environment that encourages the development of Design skills and the sharing of work within a culture of mutual respect and shared responsibility.
• Be actively engaged in their own learning whilst being challenged and motivated to take responsibility for their own development and take risks.
• Experience well planned lessons which challenge them, provide clear assessment and regular Design opportunities whilst reflecting upon their own learning and development.
• A personalised and independent creative journey in which they are able to learn from their mistakes and challenge ideas.
• To experience a range of materials, techniques and Design practises to create ‘real’ outcomes.

Design enables pupils to:

• Explore and develop confidence and self-esteem.
• Investigate ideas and record from reality.
• Develop higher thinking skills.
• Critique evaluate and adapt.
• Learn from the work of others to be able to explore and develop own ideas.
• Communicate through many different forms.
• Encourage creativity through tangible outcomes.
• Link into the world and community.
• Take responsibility for their own work, be able to take risks and be able to fail in a safe environment.
• Be involved in a creative process.
• Have a spectrum of experiences across all Design fields.
• To be able to develop literacy and numeracy within Design lessons in a practical environment.
• To experience a range of materials, techniques and Design practises to create ‘real’ outcomes.