PCSA Options Booklet 2024 - 2026

FINE ART
Type of qualification: GCSE
Exam Board: AQA
Central Leader: Mr J Stanley
Head of Subject: Mr J Stanley
What will I study?
On this GCSE Fine Art course, you will be studying a combination of board-based media including
drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking and mixed media through workshop-based projects and
selected areas of study. You will be learning how to explore an idea, respond to a theme or artist’s work in
creating your own visual artworks using a variety of media. The course educates you to explore your
imagination and creativity as an artist as well as teaching you how to be a reflective and critical learner.
To do well you need to:
Analyse the work of artists using subject specific
language.
Be confident in taking risks with your own learning
by experimenting with ideas, media, processes and
materials. To be able to reflect and evaluate your
outcomes and experiences to be able to progress
and refine ideas.
Have the ability to proofread work and have
excellent literacy skills.
Develop an understanding of art, craft and
design in historical, social, cultural and
contemporary contexts.
Have a positive attitude about the subject
and be prepared to invest your time into
creating artwork in and out of school.
Every lesson you will need art materials
provided by the school and your Google
Classroom code to access the home
learning tasks,
Progression Pathways
This course will prepare you to advance onto other courses; A Level Art and Design, BTEC Level 3,
Extended Diplomas in Art and Design, Level 3 Foundation (pre-degree), Textile Design, Animation and
Game, Photography and Media courses.
This subject has the potential to help you develop your academic language skills, critical thinking skills,
decision-making, risk-taking and creative skills in order to be a successful learner which is valuable for all
types of jobs.
How will I be assessed?
AO1
AO2
AO3
AO4
Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical
understanding of sources (artists).
Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with
appropriate materials and techniques.
Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions.
Present a personal and meaningful response that realises
intentions.
Careers
Studying this subject can
lead to a variety of jobs
including animation,
illustration, fashion design,
printmaking, film
production, textiles and
surface design,
photography, sculpture and
construction, graphic
design, art and design
teacher and crafts maker.