Key Stage 4 courses you can study in the Art department at Bedford High School:

GCSE Art and Design

GCSE Art Photography

Year 10 and 11 students will be required to use sketchbooks as a means for recording, researching, exploring, developing and documenting ideas. It will be a record of an individual’s observations, experiences, opinions and visual ideas, showing progression in knowledge, understanding and skills.

GCSE Art and Design

Students are encouraged to work with a variety of materials and techniques, producing prep work in sketchbooks and developing their own ideas towards a final result. The course is based on themes designed to allow maximum opportunity for analysis, creativity and imaginative use of materials and imagery. Diversity of response and an experimental approach is encouraged to enable individuals to express what they see, think and feel in their own way while realising their intentions in the making of artwork. Areas of study could include graphic design, textiles, fine art, 3D and photography.

How will I be assessed?

The course is comprised of 2 areas of study. Component 1 involves a major practical portfolio and final outcome/s based on internally set themes and subject matter developed from personal and/or given starting points. Component 2 is based on preparatory study that leads to a ten hour exam in which you will produce a response to a chosen theme, visual stimuli or written brief.

Component 1 – Portfolio (60% of the qualification)

Component 2 – Externally Set Assignment (40% of the qualification).

Testimonials

Megan Dunn (Graduated from Bedford High School 2020)

“I enjoyed my lessons in Art because I could be free with my ideas and be as creative as I wanted too and that I was always supported all the way through my time at Bedford. I am now at Wigan and Leigh college doing Level 3 Art and Design. In the future I want to study media makeup and fashion.”

Daisy Arkwright (Graduated from Bedford High School 2019)

“At Bedford High School, I enjoyed the freedom of drawing and being able to personalise my own work. I am now studying A-level Art, Graphics and Maths at college. I want to study Architecture in the future.”

GCSE Art Photography

Students are encouraged to work with a variety of materials and techniques. Students learn how to produce images using light-sensitive materials such as photographic film, or digital methods of development and production to create static or moving images. Areas of study could include portraiture, installation, photo-journalism, moving image: film, video and animation and fashion photography.

How will I be assessed?

The course is comprised of 2 areas of study. Component 1 involves a major practical portfolio and final outcome/s based on internally set themes and subject matter developed from personal and/or given starting points. Component 2 is based on preparatory study that leads to a ten hour exam in which you will produce a response to a chosen theme, visual stimuli or written brief.

Component 1 – Portfolio (60% of the qualification)

Component 2 – Externally Set Assignment (40% of the qualification).