Pupils in this year start to combine close observation of first hand sources and personal ideas as reference for further development. They will be exploring image making in a variety of media including mixed media.

The visual elements of line, tone, texture, pattern, colour and form are combined to express feelings of mood, scale, perspective and proportion. Pupils start to investigate the work of other artists with greater independence.

In the thirds pupils are starting to work on more sustained projects where they progress through from the initial collecting of information towards a final solution, reflecting and analysing their work as it develops.

The use of I.T. is introduced both for researching the work of other artists and as a creative tool. Sketchbooks play an important role for pupils to explore the world around them and to record their discoveries and ideas.

Students in the 4ths and 5ths follow the OCR Art and Design GCSE course. They have one double lesson and two single lessons a week plus an extra afternoon activity.

The course involves the production of three separate coursework units, which are marked holistically at the end of the course in accordance with OCR guidelines and then externally moderated. There is an externally set exam unit.

The GCSE course successfully prepares students for the experimental nature of AS and the rigor of A2 whilst being a natural progression from the thematic approach lower down the school.

Schemes of work are designed by individual class teachers, using the annual department theme, who aim to teach a broad range of techniques and skills through structured guidance of students. Students follow lines of enquiry towards final outcomes and the opportunities for students to structure their own ideas and projects increase towards the end of the course. Where possible, students change teachers half way through the course in order to gain a broader experience and benefit from different approaches and strengths.

Students regularly visit exhibitions and are also encouraged to do so in their spare time.

In the first year of the course, students either work on one long project based on the theme of the year and will produce several outcomes as a result of sustained enquiry, or produce two projects. One project may be discarded or developed the following year.

All students keep sketchbooks throughout the course and there is a weekly homework requirement. Projects take place in these but also on a larger scale in ambitious class work.

In the second year of the course students work on two projects based again on the theme of the year but with two different approaches and resulting in two different outcomes. (For example a clay project and a painting project)

This year sketchbook work should be more independent and a natural method for exploring ideas and collecting and researching information. By the second project students should be showing greater evidence of ownership of both ideas and development.

The prelim in January gives them the chance to gain the experience of planning that is required to ensure a successful and personal ten hour piece. This time can be used to complete a project. In the summer term students complete their Controlled Test. There is an exhibition for the GCSE work after the controlled test has taken place.