WJEC GCSE in ART AND DESIGN
We offer two main qualifications in this area:
Art Craft and Design
This course is designed to promote learning across a variety of experiences and through various processes, tools, techniques, materials and resources to generate different kinds of evidence of working and outcomes. The emphasis is on an increased breadth of approach commensurate in demand with the depth of other specialist titles. It is emphasised that the title ‘Art, craft and design’ is not the same as the title ‘Fine Art’.
This title offers flexibility in content and approach and the opportunity to explore and create work associated with areas of study from at least two titles listed below.
Students undertaking the art, craft and design title are required to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and understanding set out in the introduction to Section 2. Students are required to demonstrate the ability to realise creative intentions relevant to areas of study drawn from at least two of the following titles:
- Fine art
- Graphic communication
- Textile design
- Three-dimensional design
- Photography
- Critical and contextual studies.
Students may explore overlapping areas and/or combinations of disciplines within any of the above titles.
Photography
This qualification is defined as the practice of creating durable static or moving images by recording light with light-sensitive materials such as photographic film or digitally by means of an image sensor.
Students undertaking the photography title are required to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and understanding set out in the introduction to Section 2 through areas of study relevant to their chosen title. Areas of study include:
- Documentary photography
- Photo-journalism
- Studio photography
- Location photography
- Experimental imagery
- Installation
- Moving image: film, video and animation.
Work is not limited to one area of study.
WJEC GCSE in MUSIC
We study the WJEC GCSE Music specification. This course gives pupils opportunities to develop skills in performance and composition and help develop skills in teamwork and independent work.
This course helps build self-confidence through performance work; it allows pupils to show commitment to working hard to achieve their goals. In a recent statement the government recognised that studying music and becoming a musician can improve numeracy, literacy and behaviour and that all students should have the opportunity to engage in the joy of musical discovery.
Most work will be done in class, as it is controlled assessment work; however, it is important to practice regularly at home in order to make progress. All GCSE and A-Level students get priority to use the practice rooms during lunchtime.
The course is very practical with a large amount of time spent on rehearsing, performing and composing. You will also develop your listening skills through the following 4 areas of study: Musical Forms and Devices, Music for Ensemble, Film Music and Popular Music.
WJEC GCSE in DRAMA AND MEDIA STUDIES
Drama
The department offers the opportunity for students to complete the WJEC GCSE specification in Drama and Media Studies at Key Stage 4.
The course is exciting, inspiring and offer practical options in subjects. The Drama specification promotes involvement in and enjoyment of drama, as performers and/or designers. Additionally, it provides opportunities to attend live theatre performances and to develop skills as informed and thoughtful audience members. It is designed to give students a broad and balanced experience of drama and is designed to integrate knowledge and understanding of how drama and theatre are developed and performed across a range of dramatic activities.
Students will investigate a practitioner or genre of drama, work collaboratively to develop ideas to communicate meaning and experiment with dramatic conventions, forms and techniques to produce and realise a piece of original theatre. They will also have the opportunity to participate in the performance of an extract from a published performance text. Students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of drama, including their ability to interpret texts for performance, in a written examination. However, in preparation for this assessment, students are encouraged to study their chosen text practically as a performer, designer and director.
Media Studies
The media play a central role in contemporary society and culture. They shape our perceptions of the world through the representations, viewpoints and messages they offer. In addition, they importantly provide us with ways to communicate, with forms of cultural expression and enable us to participate in key aspects of society. The economic importance of the media is also unquestionable. The media industries employ large numbers of people worldwide and operate as commercial industries on a global scale. The global nature of the contemporary media, coupled with ongoing technological developments and more opportunities to interact with the media, suggest that their centrality in contemporary life can only increase.
The study of a range of rich and stimulating media products is central to the course, working from the product outwards to develop appreciation and understanding of the media. Students will draw on their existing experience of the media, but will also extend their appreciation and critical understanding through the study of products with which they may be less familiar, including products for different audiences.
The WJEC specification aims to offer a particular focus on the media in Wales, considering aspects of the media industries in Wales, products intended for Welsh audiences and representations of Wales and Welsh cultural identity. Where appropriate, students will be able to study Welsh language media products. Through this Welsh dimension, learners will develop an awareness of the economic and cultural importance of the media in Wales and how this links to the media beyond Wales.
The WJEC GCSE in Media Studies offers a broad, coherent and engaging course of study which enables learners to:
- develop critical thinking and decision-making skills through consideration of issues that are important, real and relevant to learners and to the world in which they live
- develop their appreciation and understanding of the importance and role of the media in their daily lives
- develop their practical skills through opportunities for personal engagement and creative media production
- understand how to use key concepts and specialist subject-specific terminology to analyse media products
- develop an understanding of media products in relation to their industry contexts
- evaluate and reflect on their own practical work.