Year 10 Mock Exams

This week our year 10 GCSE students completed their 1 day mock exam.  They were asked to produce a final piece based on the theme 'Broken'.  Here are their wonderful work...

Lucy Thompson, Lino Print

Jessica Anderton, Acrylic, chalk pastels and ink on canvas 

Gemma Haefele, Acrylic, collage and ink on canvas 

Numan Yahya, Acrylic on paper 

Joseph Sturt, acrylic and chalk pastel on paper 

Owen Rees, Acrylic, oil pastel and tinfoil on paper 

Sophie Smart, acrylic, chalk pastel and collage on paper 

Clare Barwell, acrylic &watercolour pencils on paper 

Andrew Ho, Watercolour paints, charocal and pencil on paper 

Adam Mather, clay (Adam's work is waiting to be fired in the kiln and will be painted very soon, fingers crossed it doesn't explode in the kiln!) 

Rebecca Reynolds, paper collage & PVA glue 

Hollie Whitehouse, acrylic, oil pastel and silver marker on paper



Amina Taki

‘Memories/The Past’

My final piece is about my own grandfather remembering his past and childhood.  I recall him saying with a teary eye, “I’m proud of my past and I’m not ashamed of any little bit of it.  But what I am ashamed of is this insignificant being I have become.”  This was my inspiration!  It made me realize it’s everything that you achieve now that counts, because when you get to that age when you need someone to help you walk or you need someone to help you get out of bed, it’s too late, there’s nothing that can be done anymore. 

Memories are a way of holding onto our past and not letting it go, giving us a little glimmer of hope that someday we may become that young and valuable man or lady we once were.  Therefore, I advise any person in this world who has seen my piece of work to make the best of their life now.  So when they are at that age and holding nothing but their memories and achievements, they will be proud.  They will be respected and the youthful person they once were.  Although this time they will be stronger and even greater, maybe not physically, but without, doubt mentally.

Alya Al Suwaidi

'A Shadow of Possibility'

My idea initially began on that of birds and the sea.  This is appropriate because I live by the sea. I wanted this to be a surreal view, so I chose the artist Rene Magritte who had created the silhouette of a bird in clouds, and the background of a sky, which I thought would go perfectly with my initial ideas. Most of my artist studies helped me to develop many different techniques, which helped me improve my final piece. I would say the technique I used most, was that of colour, throughout my preparatory work,I learned how to use many different colours blending them, with water colour and soft pastels, to create subtle variations.  I was particularly interested in creating the effect of a wave splashing which came from my initial drawings. In addition, I was able to develop my drawing skills, by the pencil drawings of birds.

My image, although it came to me suddenly, had a meaning behind it. The wave is representing a change, the doves, which most would see as a symbol of peace are rising from the wave as if they are made from the foam and the shadow of the crow which symbolises negativity, is fading into the water. So the meaning behind my final piece would be a peaceful change emerging, with the shadow of negativity left behind.

Yasmeen Luqman

‘Contemplation’

Wrinkles are one of the world’s most dreaded steps to wisdom.  To me, the elegant bends and curves that form delicate shadows and shade are beautiful.  Flowers require ‘TLC’ in order to grow, sharing the beauty of aging.  My inspiration for this piece was my father and his love for his father.  In addition to this, I was inspired by Lucian Freud, Monet, Caravaggio and Tina Kerikson.

Victoria Anderton

‘Shadow of Life’

With my piece, it shows a chest with a section torn out, exposing the ribs and the heart which is leaning blood over the skin, in acrylic with deeply contrasting tones which gives a dramatic exposure of how the dying are a shadow of life.

Stephanie Lepouras

Shannon Botham

‘Imploding Exploding’

When interpreting the shadow/shade theme, the effects of water came to mind.  Despite my passion for swimming, I also have an appreciation for the hidden power and strength of water.  I also find the way that light reflects and bounces off the surface aesthetically pleasing.

My ideas were fuelled by my hobby – swimming.  I linked the use of butterflies with the butterfly stroke.  I wanted to create a sense of elegance and power.  The butterfly stroke when being swam, is seen as elegant and graceful, whereas for the swimmer it requires explosive energy.

My final piece brings this all together creating an imploding box, contrasting with exploding elegance of the butterflies.