Expressive Arts
GCSE Art
Pupils will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of artistic areas, allowing them to develop in:
1. Drawing and Painting
2. Printmaking
3. Sculpture and 3D Design
4. Photography and Digital Art
5. Textiles
6. Mixed Media and Collage
7. Art History and Contextual Studies
How you'll be Assessed 1. Portfolio 60%: Your portfolio is a mixture of projects and coursework that will be created throughout the course. 2. Exam 40%: This is a project decided by you finishing a 10-hour controlled assessment producing a final piece.
GCSE Music
Performing – You can choose to sing or play any instrument of your choice to achieve the highest grade in performance. You should aim to play a piece of music at grade 3 standard, you can record your pieces at any point in the two-year course.
Minimum 2 pieces, 4–6 minutes Solo and/or ensemble
Composing – You will be expected to produce two compositions, one to a set brief, the other a free composition in a style of your choice. These can be completed across the two-year course. You will need to produce a reflective log to explain how you made your piece. This can be written or recorded.
Unit 2 – Composing 32.5% of qualification: 78 marks
2 compositions, 3–6 minutes total
Appraising – Digital exam (1h 30m) 35% of qualification: 84 marks The exam questions will be based on extracts of music you will be able to listen to, and you will be expected to know and understand the elements of music and how they are used. You will study 2 set works in detail.
GCSE Drama
Unit 1: Devising Theatre Practical non-examination assessment (Performance) 40% of qualification In the first year of GCSE drama, students will work in groups to create their own piece of theatre in response to a stimulus set by WJEC.
Unit 2: Performance from a Text Practical non-examination assessment (Performance) 30% of qualification In the second year of GCSE drama, students will perform a piece of theatre from an existing text. Marked by visiting examiner.
Unit 3: Interpreting Theatre Examination - 2 hours 30% of qualification The drama exam will also be during the second year of GCSE, and will require students to answer a variety of questions, with a mix of short and extended answers, in response to a set text that students will have studied and some unseen texts
GCSE Media
Within Media, pupils will develop an understanding of how media products are created for specific audiences and purposes. They will explore the relationship between genre, narrative and representation in media products, and develop understanding of how they are interpreted by audiences. Pupils will extend their knowledge and understanding by deconstructing existing products in one of the three sectors: audio/moving image, publishing and interactive media. Pupils will learn how media production techniques are used to create different effects to communicate meaning.
• Film
• TV
• Magazines
• News
• Blog/Vlog
• Advertising
• Music videos
• Radio
• Podcasting
• Internet
• Social media
Production Arts (Btec Level 1/2 Qualification)
Production Art is a Level 1/2 course in Production Arts, it is a hands-on practical course that is for pupils that are interested in exploring the behind-the-scenes world of theatre, film, TV and live events. This course will introduce you to the skills, techniques and creative process involved in the arts industry.
What will you learn? • set design and construction • lighting design and operation • sound design and operation • stage management • costume and make-up design • props and scenic arts. The course is assessed through coursework, practical projects and a final portfolio.
This course is suited to pupils with a passion for creativity, organisation, and enjoys the technical side of the performing arts.
