Unicorn School

Art

  1. Art

The art curriculum at Unicorn School is carefully planned to develop technical skills, creativity and individual artistic voice over time. Pupils are supported through a structured programme of study, including the option to follow GCSE Art.

In addition to the GCSE Art, there is also an ASDAN PDP short course in art that can be offered as an alternative to the GCSE in Year 11. This aims to showcase the individual talents of pupils and demonstrate how their ideas and techniques have developed, but without the volume of work required in the GCSE.

Subject Qualification Exam Board
Art GCSE AQA
Assessment overview
Exam components Coursework and set paper with a practical exam
Standard length of exam 10 hours (completed over a series of supervised sessions)
Percentage weighting – exam component Set paper worth 40%
When do pupils sit the exam? Early May 2026 (Year 11)
Non‑examined assessment (NEA)
  • Teacher‑led units delivered in Year 10
  • Two student‑led projects completed in Year 11
  • A sustained phase of work (September – December)
  • A project in response to a set paper theme (January – May)
Percentage weighting – coursework (NEA)
  • 60% – Year 10 coursework and sustained phase project
  • 40% – Year 11 set paper and exam
When do pupils carry out the coursework (NEA)? From September in Year 10 to May in Year 11