GCSE Art and Design
Art is a visual language that allows us to communicate ideas, convey mood and tell stories. Not only will you learn the skills and techniques to produce powerful artwork, you will also discover creative and fun ways to explore and express your ideas.
Studying GCSE Art and Design carves the way for further studies involving creative problem solving and offers an excellent career pathway into art, architecture, fashion, interior design and design.
GCSE Art and Design students experience a fantastic variety of art and design activities from fine art, print-making, 3D design and textiles. You will learn a wide range of skills, explore new ideas and experiment with different techniques to build up a successful portfolio of work. Closely guided by our tutors, you choose a project topic to develop that is directed by your own needs, aspirations and exploration.
World-class galleries and exhibitions
The college is in a superb location close to many of the outstanding exhibitions and galleries London has to offer, such as The National Gallery, the Design Museum and the Royal Academy of Art. Going to art exhibitions can be inspirational and is a great resource for primary research.
Prestigious art schools
Ashbourne A level Art and Design students often go on to study at prestigious art and design universities in London and the UK. The many career opportunities include product design, fashion, illustration, animation, interior design, jewellery, furniture, set design, painting, sculpting, printmaking, to name just a few! New technologies are creating a whole new range of courses and careers in which art is being used in immersive, innovative and exciting ways.
Which syllabus do we follow?
Ashbourne follows the AQA specification for GCSE Art and Design.
Ashbourne students follow the Art, Craft and Design programme for GCSE Art and Design. Students build up a portfolio of work developed in response to a subject, theme, task or brief. This constitutes 60% of the overall mark. They also carry out an externally set assessment (40%) on a chosen title.
1. What will I study in GCSE Art and Design at Ashbourne?
Students explore a wide range of creative activities, including fine art, print-making, 3D design, and textiles. You will learn practical skills, experiment with techniques, and develop a portfolio based on your own chosen project theme.
2. Which exam board does Ashbourne use for GCSE Art and Design?
We follow the AQA specification for GCSE Art and Design. The course is structured to build a portfolio (60% of the grade) and complete an externally set assessment (40%).
3. How is GCSE Art and Design assessed?
Assessment is based on a portfolio of work developed in response to a theme, brief, or project, worth 60% of the overall grade. The remaining 40% comes from an externally set task, where students produce a final piece under exam conditions.
4. What career pathways can GCSE Art and Design lead to?
Studying GCSE Art and Design is an excellent foundation for careers in art, architecture, fashion, product design, illustration, animation, interior design, and more. It also prepares students for further study at prestigious art schools and universities.
