GCSE Art and Design Graphic Communication requires students to complete two components:

• Component 1: Portfolio - A portfolio that in total shows explicit coverage of the four assessment objectives, which counts towards 60% of the GCSE. It must include a sustained project evidencing the journey from initial engagement to the realisation of intentions. The sustained creative brief is set by the centre and is studied in Year 10 and half of Year 11.
• Component 2: Externally set assignment - Students respond to their chosen starting point from an externally set assignment paper set by the exam board, evidencing coverage of all four assessment objectives. This counts towards 40% of the GCSE. This component will be issued to students on the 2nd January or as soon as possible after that date and will run until May of that academic year.

Work submitted for assessment for the GCSE components is assessed using the following assessment objectives:

• AO1: Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources.
• AO2: Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes.
• AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses.
• AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language.

Year one includes an introductory period where we will teach students the skills and techniques and give them lots of opportunities to respond personally to short projects. They will record all work within a portfolio which allows them to build and learn new skills and techniques in a range of design related areas.

This introductory period will be followed by

• Component 1: Personal Investigation and
• Component 2: Externally set assignment, where candidates are required to build upon the knowledge, understanding and skills gained in year one introductory period.

• Component 1: Personal Investigation (worth 60% of A level)

The Personal Investigation consists of a major in-depth, practical, critical and theoretical investigative project/theme-based portfolio. Learners will be required to carry out an extended critical and contextual analysis (1000-word minimum requirement).

• Component 2: Externally set assignment (worth 40% of A level)

Learners will be required to independently develop a personal response to one of a varied range of stimuli. Learners will develop their response during a preparatory study period culminating in a 15-hour sustained focus study.

Assessment takes place regularly on the course to provide feedback to develop your visual artwork and written components (through one-to-one support and group critiques of work).

Work submitted for assessment for the A-Level components is assessed using the following assessment objectives:

• AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.
• AO2: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops.
• AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress
• AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements.