GCSE stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education, and they are part of the national curriculum. Typically, GCSEs are studied between the ages of 14-16 in years 10 and 11.

Waltham Forest College's GCSE courses are studied as a package for those who are new to the country or those who achieved a Grade 3 in their English and maths GCSEs in Year 11.

The entry requirements for this course are:

This GCSE course is open to those who are new to the country or those who achieved a Grade 3 in their English and maths GCSEs in Year 11.

No prior study of the subject is necessary.

For those new to the country, there will be an entrance assessment to complete. This is common to the GCSE programme and not for this subject individually.

This course consists of the following:

Practical Skills: Develop proficiency in a variety of art-making techniques including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and digital media. Experiment with different materials and processes to communicate ideas and express personal vision.

Critical and Contextual Studies: Explore the work of artists, designers, and craftspeople from different cultures, periods, and movements. Analyse artworks in relation to their historical, social, and cultural contexts, considering themes such as identity, environment, and the human experience.

Personal Investigation: Undertake a sustained project that explores a theme, concept, or issue of personal significance. This self-directed investigation allows students to develop their ideas, experiment with different approaches, and create a coherent body of work that reflects their artistic journey.

Externally Set Assignment: Respond to a given theme or stimulus provided by the examination board. This component challenges students to generate ideas, develop concepts, and produce a final outcome within a set timeframe, demonstrating their ability to work creatively and responsively under pressure.

The assessment consists of two components:

• A portfolio of practical work (60%)
• An externally set assignment (40%)

The portfolio showcases a selection of the student's best artwork created throughout the course, demonstrating their technical proficiency, creativity, and conceptual development.

The externally set assignment involves responding to a theme or stimulus provided by the examination board, culminating in the creation of a final outcome within a supervised period of time.

Our Student Common Room is a great place to unwind and relax during your breaks. It features pool tables, table tennis, a gaming corner and lots of comfy sofas so you can refresh before your next lesson. 

Themed events are held in the Common Room so you can get the best experience of being a Waltham Forest College student.

Work experience will be sourced for learners on this pathway at the end of their GCSE study. This is owing to the intense study and limited time ahead of externally assessed examinations.

Successful completion of GCSE Art opens up diverse pathways for further study and career opportunities within the creative industries.

Students may choose to continue their artistic education with A Levels in Art and Design or pursue vocational qualifications in areas such as fine art, graphic design, illustration or fashion design.

This qualification also provides a strong foundation for careers in fields such as advertising, publishing, animation, film, and museum curation.

Whether pursuing higher education or entering the workforce directly, students emerge from this course with a range of transferable skills, including creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and self-expression.

Waltham Forest College is a vibrant and aspirational college and will support you to reach your career aspirations. Last year 96% of learners progressed onto a positive destination either to higher levels of study, employment, or an Apprenticeship.