GCSE Art

Discussion and advice on GCSEs

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bubbles123
Posts: 59
Joined: Wed Sep 23, 2015 2:41 pm

GCSE Art

Post by bubbles123 »

Hi, my daughter really enjoys Art but is quite unsure about whether she should take GCSE Art (Edexcel). She's heard that there's a lot of coursework and that it can be very time consuming. She does not want this to impede on her other GCSE'S. Any thoughts or experience ?

Thanks, it's much appreciated.
mad?
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Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 6:27 pm
Location: london

Re: GCSE Art

Post by mad? »

DD2 did Art GCSE (and A level) and she loved it. It is a significant amount of work, and needs to be something that DC enjoy and find relaxing (even when there is a horrid deadline looming.) It is perfectly doable, DD2 was also doing DT (plenty of coursework as well) and training at a particular sport for 20 hours a week plus competitions, and found art a great release, but had to be disciplined. Certainly it was more challenging for those whose idea of a good Sunday afternoon was not doing art homework let alone those who leave things to the last minute. BUT, she loved it, it did not detract from her other GCSEs but I think it needs to be something they want to do. It is lovely for those who enjoy it to have something so different to occupy their time.
mad?
ToadMum
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Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 12:41 pm
Location: Essex

Re: GCSE Art

Post by ToadMum »

DS2 did the GCSE and is currently doing AS Art. He spends a lot of his spare time doing art anyway (occasionally producing work to commission, so there's my pension plan :lol:), so producing coursework is probably less onerous for him than it might be for some. That being said, if he drops anything after AS, it will probably be Art, as his other subjects are Maths, Physics and English Literature and he wants to study Art History at university (having changed his mind from Architecture) - having an essay-and analysis-based subject would be more useful for that than Art.
Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.Groucho Marx
kenyancowgirl
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Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2013 8:59 pm

Re: GCSE Art

Post by kenyancowgirl »

If she enjoys it then it could prove a nice change from the more “academic” studies - and, if she enjoys it is likely that she will do better in it. Most children don’t worry about whether it will impede on their other subjects, although parents often do....!
kenyancowgirl
Posts: 6738
Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2013 8:59 pm

Re: GCSE Art

Post by kenyancowgirl »

If she enjoys it then it could prove a nice change from the more “academic” studies - and, if she enjoys it is likely that she will do better in it. Most children don’t worry about whether it will impede on their other subjects, although parents often do....!
Reading Mum
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Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2011 9:44 am
Location: Reading

Re: GCSE Art

Post by Reading Mum »

DD says that she knew it was a lot of work but she chose it because she enjoyed the subject. She later admitted that it was way more work than she had expected and it did get in the way of other subjects sometimes. She finally got the last coursework in 2 days before she went on study leave which was a long way past the 'done and dusted before Easter' plan that the teacher had original put forward.
It was her only non 'A grade' - just 2 marks off the boundary for a 7 but they said it would not change with a remark.
bubbles123
Posts: 59
Joined: Wed Sep 23, 2015 2:41 pm

Re: GCSE Art

Post by bubbles123 »

Thank you for all your replies
Moon unit
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Joined: Fri Mar 07, 2014 9:14 am

Re: GCSE Art

Post by Moon unit »

My dd is in year 11 just starting her exam project now.
She has always done lots of art in her spare time and enjoys going to galleries.I would say if your child isn’t like that it would be hard going.
She has been very careful not to let it take up too much time.
Also is prepared to accept she won’t get a top grade as a result.
Not good for perfectionists!
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