DS has just started Yr9. Today they were informed there will be a SATS test for

[Milliways]

Art?

Is this a real SATS test? If so, will be the first SATS test he doesn't do very well in

Is this new, or just a teacher assessment thingy to stop them all choosing Art GCSE as what they think to be an "easy" subject?

He also has to make his GCSE options in December!! Growing up fast.....

No it isn't a real SATS test, but it is done to give an indication of levels.

Can't say the Art I teach is easy, it is bloody hard and academeic, deliberately so to stop the time wasters picking it for GCSE...and they don't choose it because of this, so very few wasters in our dept!

Thanks Fizzbuzz.

DS would LOVE to be good at Art, he was commenting on the GCSE work on the walls, but he just hasn't "got it", so Art GCSE would never be an option for him!

Now, if there was GCSE Photo-shopping, Computer Generated art etc etc....

But that should be part of the GCSE syllabus! Plenty of ours doing GCSE work in digital media....painting can be very boring

That's interesting! But do they still have to do some Painting/drawing/sculpture etc with their hands?

Well, a bit, just to get a grounding, but Art is very open ended and personal, so once they'd covered all the basics, they should be able to do what they want.

But if he likes working with design and computers, he may like doing DT Graphic Products which uses these programmes a lot. He could upload and manipulate photos in that, but again, it is also part of Art as well. Also Art covers other stuff like printing, or textiles,or 3D.

My pet bores in Art are painting and sculpture, but I managed.

Also, everyone can be taught to draw, and reach a good standard, just like any subject like English or Maths, It's how it's taught that counts.I bet he isn't crap, he sounds interested if he likes fiddling around with stuff.

The stuff you are talking about is fine art . Applied art is much more interesting and accessable to kids.

Thank you - I will tell him there may be interesting months ahead. He is at a good school, very results orientated but they do try & get the best.

He has been told he can "learn" to draw, & he would love to. He really enjoys art, but it has never been a Strength or passion.

In fact, homework is to collect "junk" to build a New York skyline with

Now that sounds kinda fun to me......