KS4 Art

KS4 Overview

We follow the OCR GCSE in Fine Art (J171) that is composed of Portfolio (C/work) that amounts to 60% of the qualification and an Externally Set Task (EST) that makes up the remaining 40%.

Building on KS3 and preparing for KS5…

In KS3 there is a component of art history with each project that sets the tone for deeper investigations and responses in KS4. Additionally, we stretch out the project length in Year 9 as a way of readying pupils for the longer and deeper nature of projects at KS4. Visits to the National Marine Aquarium in Year 9 also provide pupils with a taste of producing Art outcomes from inspiration gained on curricular trips – in Year 10 we currently go to Tate St. Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Sculpture Garden. Th link from KS4 to KS5 is in terms of the exam board (we continue with OCR Fine Art at A Level as we do at GCSE): the reason being that the majority of pupils at A Level, who stay on into our Sixth Form from GCSE at TGGS, have the knowledge and familiarity of the Assessment Objectives already embedded at KS4.

KS4 Assessment

Pupils are given regular formative verbal feedback by teachers circulating around the room and assisting pupils and guiding them as needed with practical skills. More formally, 4 times a year pupils will have an ‘Assessed Work’ sheet as it’s Summative Assessment. Here, pupils reflect upon their own learning through ‘What Went Well’ and ‘Even Better If’ and ‘Next Steps’ in reflecting upon their work and learning.

KS4 Content

Y10 Content Autumn	St. Ives project – including prep work/experimental drawing and the visit itself and a sketchbook submission post – trip.
Y10 Content Spring	Continuation of St. Ives preparatory work on prep sheets and an ‘Academic Poster’ on the St. Ives group. Year 10 Mock Exam – production of St. Ives Final Piece in 10 hours over 2 days.
Y10 Content Summer	Introduction to Dada and Surrealism as the next project as part of portfolio coursework.
Y11 Content Autumn	Continuation of Dada and Surrealism – this includes a 10-hour final piece, completed over two days, as the Year 11 Mock Exam.
Y11 Content Spring	The focus of all lessons is the Externally Set Task preparatory work.
Y11 Content Summer	Externally Set Task – Final Piece.