In the Art & Design curriculum, we aim to engage, inspire and challenge students to develop their skills and knowledge thus giving them the confidence to experiment, invent and create their own works of Art & Design.
The Art & Design department’s schemes of work are designed to contribute to the achievement of the curriculum aims for all children to become:

• successful learners who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve
• confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives
• responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society.

 

In Art & Design pupils explore visual, tactile and other sensory experiences to communicate ideas and meanings. They work with traditional and new media, developing confidence, competence, imagination and creativity. They learn to appreciate and value images and artefacts across times and cultures, and to understand the contexts in which they were made. They will reflect critically on their own and other people’s work, judging quality, value and meaning.  They will learn to think and act as artists, craftspeople and designers, working creatively and intelligently. They will also develop an appreciation of art, craft and design and its role in the creative and cultural industries that enrich their lives.

Art & Design has a distinctive contribution to make with children’s personal development and our schemes reflect the five Every Child Matters outcomes – enjoy and achieve, be healthy, stay safe, achieve economic wellbeing and make a positive contribution. Personal, learning and thinking skills are also integrated into the departments planned teaching and learning.

 

KEY STAGE 3

Our schemes provide further opportunities for pupils to work independently and collaboratively, exploring ideas and techniques and responding to local and cultural influences. Each year group has 3 lessons over the 2-week timetable.

YEAR 7

Year 7 projects usually last a term and a half, covering the basic formal elements and laying the foundation for more experimental work linked to colour and landscape.

Topics:

• Half term 1 – Baseline Test and Introduction to the Formal Elements
  Students will learn about the basics of drawing through exploring each formal element starting with line, shape and space.

• Half term 2 – Formal Elements
  Learning about tone, form and texture.

• Half term 3 – Formal Elements
  Learning about composition using the work of Kandinsky.

• Half term 4 – Introduction to Colour and Landscape
  Students will learn about colour theory and painting techniques.

• Half term 5 and 6 – Landscape Work
  • Learning about the elements of a landscape painting and how artists created atmosphere, colour mixes and painting effects.
  • Group work skills to create a combined large scale landscape painting.

 

YEAR 8

In Year 8 projects are more 3D orientated. We feel that 3D work is one of our strengths and we have found it a great motivator. Themes covered include Natural Forms and Figure Sculpture.

Topics:

• Half term 1 – Baseline test and introduction to the natural world project
  Students will learn about shape, form and pattern in nature and create compositions
  that reflect the theme, using mixed media techniques.

• Half term 2 – Exploring artists work
  Introduction to the work of artists inspired by nature such as William Morris. Creating large scale decorative leaf designs inspired by the artists work.

• Half term 3 – Introduction to clay work
  Learning about 3D clay techniques to create a relief sculpture from their decorative leaf designs.

• Half term 4 – Introduction to figure sculpture
  Students will learn about the artist Alberto Giacometti and explore figure drawing with
  particular emphasis on figures showing movement.

• Half term 5/6 – Sculpture design
  Learning about sculpture techniques using wire and modroc to create individual 3D figures showing movement.

 

YEAR 9

In Year 9 we lay the foundation for the transition to GCSE, encouraging a more individual and independent approach. Themes covered are Portraiture inspired by Kathe Kollwitz and Expressionism, and experimental sculpture work developed from independent artists research.

Topics:

• Half Term 1 – Baseline test and introduction to portraiture
  Students will learn about different approaches to portraiture by researching artists work.

• Half Term 2 – Proportions and facial features
  Learning about proportions of the face and observing facial features.

• Half Term 3 – Exploring expressionism
  Learning about how artists show mood and feelings in their work through use of colour and mark-making.

• Half Term 4 – Introduction to independent project
  Students will learn further about independent research with the view to create a 3D
  experimental piece inspired by the artist of their choice.

• Half term 5/6 – Final sculpture piece
  Building on all the knowledge and skills learnt over the key stage to produce their
  independent final piece.

 

The curriculum also enables links to be made between Art & Design and other subjects and areas of the curriculum e.g. Science (exploring natural forms), Geography (exploring landscape), History ( Kathe Kollwitz and world war 2), Citizenship ( identity and self-image), RE (Gospel values) etc. We have often liaised with other departments on cross-curricular projects creating large scale sculptures, wall hangings etc on a variety of themes.

 

Assessment

Work is assessed each half term with individual feedback and targets given which students
must respond to. There are also opportunities for self and peer assessment. Individual verbal feedback is given regularly so all students know how to make progress.

Homework

To help develop further confidence with their skills, homework opportunities are given each
half-term which build on their classwork.

Support

There are many online resources that could inspire and motivate students with Art and
Design. Some of our favourites are:

• uk.pinterest.com
• www.artchive.com
• www.tate.org.uk
• www.bbc.co.uk/arts
• www.nsead.org

 

KEY STAGE 4

KS4 builds on the experiences of earlier key stages, encouraging pupils to personalise their learning and allowing them to work with increasing independence and depth in all areas of their work.

 

GCSE in Art & Design

The Art & Design GCSE is a broad course where students explore practical and critical/contextual work through a range of 2D and 3D processes. Projects build on the skills learnt in previous years and lay the foundation for further study at A level. Studying Art and Design gives students the opportunity to develop their visual language and awareness of the world around them in order to create for themselves a richer and more appreciative way of life.

Topics:

• Term 1- Skills and techniques 
  Developing skills and exploring media on the theme of the figure. Experimenting with
  materials such as drawing/painting, oil pastel, charcoal, collage and 3D techniques.
• Term 2/3/4- Independent project based on the theme of choice (linked to Figure Sculpture)
  Examples of themes could be Sport, dance, relationships, social issues, fashion etc.
  Researching artists to inspire ideas which are then developed into a large scale final piece.
• Term 5/6- Externally set task.
  Themes are set by the exam board which are researched and developed over several weeks, leading to a final piece which is completed in exam conditions over a 10 hour period.

We follow the AQA GCSE exam board ( http://www.aqa.org.uk)

 

Assessment

The GCSE grade is a combination of coursework (60%) and externally set task (40%).
There are 4 assessment objectives that have to be marked. Work is continually assessed with individual written feedback and targets given, as well as regular individual tutorials so that all students know how to make progress. At the end of the course, an external examiner will come in to verify the teachers’ marks.

Homework

To help develop further confidence with their skills and build up their portfolio of work,
homework is ongoing with individual deadlines set. Students are expected to continue with
coursework in their own time.

Support

There are many online resources that could inspire and motivate students with Art and
Design. Some of our favourites are:

• http://www.aqa.org.uk
• https://uk.pinterest.com
• www.artchive.com
• www.tate.org.uk
• www.bbc.co.uk/arts
• www.nsead.org

 

 

KEY STAGE 5

At 6th form, we currently offer AS and A2 courses in Fine Art.

The Fine Art course offers students a broad introduction to a variety of experiences exploring both 2D and 3D media, processes and techniques.  Practical approaches include drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media, ceramics, casting and printmaking while exploring different artists styles and genres.

The second-year offers the opportunity for students to specialise in their chosen area in a very personal manner. Students work in a friendly, productive environment to develop their skills in an expressive, inventive way. Drawing skills are explored using a variety of methods and media on a variety of scales. Sketchbooks/workbooks and journals will underpin the work.

 

We follow the AQA A level exam board ( http://www.aqa.org.uk)

 

In all Key Stages the range of work will include:

• work in, and across the areas of fine art, craft and design
• Exploration of media, processes and techniques in 2D, 3D and new technologies.
• Study of a range of artefacts from contemporary, historical, personal and cultural contexts
• Understanding of art, craft and design processes, associated equipment and safe working practices.

 

Assessment

In all key stages, work is continually assessed with individual feedback and targets given. There are also opportunities for self and peer assessment. Individual advice and tutorials are regularly given so all pupils know how to make progress.

 

Extra-curricular

The Art & Design department aims to be fresh, innovative and exciting for the children and aim to bring in as many opportunities as possible to enrich their Art education.  Examples of visiting artists workshops are a chainsaw sculpture artist, Batik wall hanging, handmade sketchbooks, felt making and photography workshop.

The Art rooms are open every lunchtime and after school except Friday for students to get extra help and support, or to use the materials to work on their portfolio of work. The department also often leads workshop activities on focus days for students.

 

Pupil Work and Homework

Click on images to view larger image.

Year 7

Year 7 Homework – February 2016

Yr 7 Art Homework

Pupils’ Work

• Fantastic examples of work on tone and form

• Excellent experimentation of textures

 

Year 8

Year 8 Homework – February 2016

Y8 Art Homework – February

Pupils’ Work

• Examples of leaf designs based on William Morris. (Work in progress)

• Final Clay leaves being painted – some excellent colour mixing.

 

Year 9

• Year 9 Oil Pastel insects completed so far

 

Year 11

Exam Countdown  –  Check out your checklist here

• Year 11 Art Exam Countdown Checklist

 

HALF-TERM – Year 11 students should be working through their checklist and catching up on outstanding exam work.  They should also be completing their ‘individual themed research’ by taking photographs, collecting artists’ work and images to suit their exam theme.

Exam Preparation Work

Year 11 GCSE Art students have started the exam unit.  Here are some great examples of prep work so far.

REMINDER – Year 11 Art students 

The Art Exam is now only a week away. Please check the Art Department Facebook page for updates and reminders from staff. Click on the image to see a larger image.

Staff

Mrs J Owen – Curriculum Team Leader

Ms A Unthank – Second in Department

Mrs R Glover – Subject Teacher

Mrs A Smith – Technician