ART GCSE

[gcsehelpneeded]

My dd wants to take art gcse next year. This seemed to me to come quite out of the blue, she says she is not very good yet but thinks she will improve at gcse. I have heard that there is a heavy workload and so has she but she is determined to put her head down. I am uncertain any guidance?

[NonDom]

How good is her drawing?

[Bunbaker]

Art GCSE is indeed coursework heavy. I think the best thing to do is discuss this with the art teacher. Please do not let your daughter think that art GCSE is a soft option because it isn't.

[Bunbaker]

By the time DD neared the end of the course she had stopped enjoying it as well. Although, at least it is one homework she could do while "watching" TV.

[gcsehelpneeded]

NonDom she can copy a drawing very well, not too good free hand though.

[taxi4ballet]

The GCSE Art course is ridiculously homework-heavy. I think over the last 6 months my dd has done more art homework than all her other subjects put together, and she says she would never have chosen the subject had she known that in advance. It's all over now thank goodness, and she is now frantically cramming for all her other exams.

[NonDom]

I think if she can't draw, her max grade would be a C.

What does her sketchbook look like? Is she good at developing her ideas?

[gcsehelpneeded]

taxi4ballet that sounds chaotic and heavy but she is a hard worker and tries very hard in everything she does so I don't think that will be too much of a problem, hopefully!!!!!

[gcsehelpneeded]

NomDom Her sketchbook is FULL of sketches with explanations, im not sure what you mean by development.

[LIZS]

How good is the art department ? A lot depends on the creativity and critical eye of the teaching staff to keep motivation going. It is hard to do really well in art, what is their past performance record?

[gcsehelpneeded]

LIZS her art department is very good with 53% A*-A

[SoupDragon]

Did people not answer this on your other thread?

DS1 spent the Easter break doing an oil painting.
He has been in to school for 5 hours for 5 Saturday's in a row leading up to his exam.
He has worked through many lunch breaks and after school.
Over the summer he had to make 3 clay elephants.
In addition to standard homework.

He used to enjoy art.

[LIZS]

Yes soup this must be at least the third. Ds School got 69% A*/A for art last year.

[SoupDragon]

I've just realised DSs experience may not be representative as his is a private school. Last year they got 100% A/A* which might explain the exceptionally heavy work load!!

[NonDom]

I've had children in 3 different private schools and they have all had 100% A*/A.

[TeenAndTween]

(but is 69%/100% A*/A because they put off any less good kids from doing it in the first place?)

[LIZS]

Dc school is also private and offers 3d as anther option. Uptake is mixed as far as I can tell but art scholars are expected to do it.

[NonDom]

It's all down to pastoral care, teen.

[twentyten]

It nearly finished us all off! Teachers were a bit wooly- v time consuming. Not the light relief from academic stuff dd hoped. Proceed with caution!!!

[Millymollymama]

Obviously Art GCSE does not put everyone off or no-one would do the A level! I think teaching is key. Techniques need to be improved and worked on and you need a teacher who knows he time of day! Woolly "do what you want and experiment" doesn't do it because you need talent and discipline to get the work done to a high standard. It is perfectly possible if you have less talent but get good teaching and are organised.

My DD got a B at GCSE but improved to an A at A level when she went to another school for 6th form where no-one gets a B for A level or GCSE. They do self select, but if they take Art, the standards expected were high so it was not seen as an easy option. Some who enjoy art just want to do their own thing and I felt teachers can indulge them in this. The school predicted DD an A at GCSE but taught her very little. The teaching and expectations sharpened up considerably at A level and she realised her potential - but also did what was required instead of what she wanted!

[TinklyLittleLaugh]

I have two daughters who have done GCSE. Yes it is a lot of work, but they both seem to enjoy it in comparison with their other subjects. DD2 in particular probably does as much of her own stuff as she does for her GCSE.

DD1 has done A level Art, and due to start a related degree in September. She loves Art. It's great to see someone studying something with a passion. DD2 has chosen A level and is equally keen.

I would say choose it if you love it.

[whyayepetal]

DD1 has just finished exam and coursework for GCSE Art. She is keen, dedicated, and wants to do A level. Be prepared for a shedload of work (DD has been working several lunchtimes per week since the start of Y10, and at least one long evening after school throughout Y11), and do not even contemplate this if you are thinking it will be an easy option/stress relief from other subjects. It is neither of these! But if you love it, and get on well with the teachers, and are willing to work like mad, go for it!

[AutumnFades]

My eldest has just finished it and loved it but it was masses of work which took hours and hours. I've found her asleep in bed on top of her palette before now. Proceed with caution unless your DD really, really, really loves art.