The WJEC GCSE (A*-G) Art and Design specification has been accredited by Qualifications Wales. The specification became available to teach in schools and colleges in Wales from September 2016.
The specification is designed to provide engaging, challenging, coherent and meaningful learning experiences through a flexible structure that supports the sequential and incremental development of creative practice. Our rewarding and immersive programme of study broadens experience, develops imagination and technical skills, fosters creativity and promotes personal and social development. The focus of the specification is to nurture an enthusiasm for Art, Craft and Design and, through a broad introductory foundation programme, to develop critical, practical and theoretical skills that enable students to gain a holistic understanding of a range of practices and contexts in the visual arts, crafts and design fields.
The Sample Assessment Materials (SAM) for GCSE from 2016 include exemplar question papers and mark schemes.
The Sam sets out:
- a mark scheme for Unit 1, the Portfolio;
- an example of the Externally Set Assignment, Unit 2 and its associated mark scheme;
- indicative content for each title which relates to submissions for both Unit 1 and Unit 2 examples of ‘My Creative Statement’ and Authentication documentation for Units 1 and 2;
- example of assessment objective checklist for students, which relates to submissions for both Unit 1 and Unit 2.
Unit 1, the Portfolio, is determined by the student and teacher, internally assessed and externally moderated. Unit 2, the Externally Set Assignment, is set by WJEC, internally assessed and externally moderated.
The Guidance for Teaching offers comprehensive, practical, straightforward guidance and support for teachers who wish to devise courses that comply with the new WJEC GCSE Art and Design specification for first teaching from September 2016 and for first assessment in Summer 2018. It includes an advocacy statement on the importance of art and design, identifies the changes from earlier specifications, indicative content for each title, notes on drawing and on annotation and more extended writing, and a substantial collection of answers to frequently asked questions.