Nat 5 Art & Design Portfolio question

[NotiaScotia]

I really hope I can get these pesky Nat 5 questions out the way so I'm not boring everyone to death on Scotsnet that isn't in this particular phase of life at the moment

So, my DD is doing Nat 5 Art and Design. I'm across what's expected of students in the written element but confused about the Portfolios. I understand that they have to create an Expressive Portfolio and a Design Portfolio, both worth 100 marks each. The SQA information on Expressive Portfolios is great; lots of examples of good portfolios and not so good ones that give a clear idea of what is required. The information on Design Portfolios is not so good or well illustrated.

Anyway my main question is this. When do both portfolios have to be finished by ie. handed in to school to be handed in to the SQA for assessment? My DD is saying that her Design portfolio has to be in for the end of October!! I hope to God that isn't the case but she's not entirely sure what her brief is. She thinks she's working towards to making a piece of jewellery but it seems everyone in her class is making a piece of jewellery and I thought there would be a bit of choice in the matter ie. CD cover/box design, textiles etc... So she's been drawing shells since S3 and now they've been asked to weave different coloured pieces of card together to 'show the examiner that you've been thinking about how to join your jewellery together'. But why would you need to do that if you are going to make a brooch? It's like they are being told to all do the same work in a very prescriptive fashion without any 'design process' as such.

Unfortunately there is no info on the school website in terms of hand-in dates (or actually anything about Art) My DD said the teacher seemed to be implying that the Design Portfolio element was being overhauled by the SQA and that things have been brought forward. As I said, my DD is obviously confused by it all and wishes they hadn't chosen Art because they don't seem to be able to get a handle on what's expected of them.

Anyone else got a child doing Nat 5 Art? Anyone lucky enough to have a child at Paisley Grammar because their Nat5/Higher website is fab and I'm totally jealous

[Cismyfatarse1]

Usually about March.

[Superjaggy]

My DD did Nat5 Art last year, I'll ask her about deadlines when she's up and let you know. I do recall her being asked to complete tasks using skills and media that she wasn't overly confident in - I think that was about course coverage, rather than a directive to have everyone doing the same thing.

[NotiaScotia]

Thanks CisMyArse and yes, that would be helpful to hear about your DD’s Nat5 Superjaggy

[dementedpixie]

Dd didnt make something for her Nat5 as shes not into jewellery making. I'm sure she did something using her drawing tablet and then did a large picture using pens/pencils and paint (she was allowed to finish this at home so her bedroom was covered in paint!).

She never told me about the other portfolio pieces as they were done in class

[Superjaggy]

So at my DD's school the art department chose to get the written element of the course completed before Christmas, then Expressive portfolio had to be completed by end March and Design by end April. She says the other class had to make jewellery but her class did a poster instead as her teacher felt it was easier to achieve good marks for it. So it does sound like schools have quite a bit of autonomy in how they set out their courses.

Your DD's school should have an outline of how the course runs, at the very least. Sorry she's not enjoying it, I hope that changes for her soon.