We aim to provide a stimulating environment where students find the creative process enjoyable and rewarding. Students will develop the ability to record and analyse information, developing a language that allows them to express themselves in visual terms and communicate ideas. There are four art staff and lessons are delivered in purpose built art studios with access to IT facilities in all rooms, alongside a purpose built communal IT area.
Year 7 and 8 are taught in mixed ability tutor groups. Year 9 are taught in mixed ability groups from different tutor groups.
The following projects are taught in Year 7:
Drawing and Mark Making
Students explore making marks for different purposes and how artists use them to express meaning.
Colour Mixing and Painting
Students make a colour wheel mixing secondary and tertiary colours; grading tints and tones from dark to light. They develop colour mixing/blending/painting skills and learn subject terminology. They use skills and observation of artists’ work to develop a landscape painting.
Designing and Printing
Students research cultural patterns from different sources and select to fit a shaped pressprint; trace and transfer. They develop research/selection/design skills; relief printing techniques and engage with different cultural imagery.
The following projects are taught in Year 8:
Developing Painting- Tropical Birds and Foliage.
Students revisit colour theory and painting skills. They learn techniques to create texture, understanding how to paint texture and tone.
Drawing and Mixed Media- African Masks
Students revisit using tone to draw a 3-dimensional African mask, using construction lines for proportion and accuracy. Students look at how the human face has been represented in many ways across time and cultures. Students understand the different uses of the mask in African cultures. Students develop their use of pencil skills- shading and blending as well as their understanding of how different cultures produce art.
Artist Research
Students use knowledge of Artist designs and patterns to make an ‘artist puppet’. Students research the chosen artist from a given list. They present an A3 sheet showing designs from the artist and analysis of their work. Students will be working with a range of media- coloured pencils/fine liners/watercolour and developing skills in designing ideas for clothes based on the artist.
The following projects are taught in Year 9:
Animal Selfie
Students explore the theme of endangered animals and use painting skills to draw and paint a chosen endangered animal. Student recap colour theory and painting techniques. Students see that art can be used to promote a message whilstStudents revisit using tone to draw a 3-dimensional African mask, using construction lines for proportion and accuracy. Students look at how the human face has been represented in many ways across time and cultures. Students understand the different uses of the mask in African cultures. Students develop their use of pencil skills- shading and blending as well as their understanding of how different cultures produce art.
Black History Month
Students explore figures from black history and draw from one of the selected portraits. They explore relevant ideas for the background and use a range of chosen media to make these. Students can see art in historical context and how to draw a portrait.
All students in KS3 complete a baseline drawing test early in the year. Students’ subsequent work is assessed against the standard they establish in this test and other work they complete in the first few weeks of the year.
In lessons, students’ progress is judged by the close monitoring of practical work in each lesson. Students receive frequent verbal feedback and guidance on their work as it progresses. Written notes are added to students’ work at regular intervals and more detailed feedback on a termly basis. A variety of questioning techniques are used to help judge students’ understanding.
Examination Board: AQA
Course Code: 8202
This lively and popular course is suitable for students who are really interested in Art and Design. It is strongly recommended that anyone wishing to study A Level Fine Art does this course.
All students work from a given theme, initially exploring this together, working from observation, researching artists and exploring materials and new techniques. Students then develop their own idea from the theme and produce a finished piece of work on a large scale. Over the two year course, at least two units of coursework are completed. Regular homework will be set and hardworking, enthusiastic students are welcomed onto this course.
Anyone wanting a career in art, fashion, graphics, architecture, interior design. textile design, photography, theatre and film design etc should consider doing this course as a basic grounding in Art and Design.
Coursework
Students are required to submit a portfolio of work which must include two final pieces. All their drawing and research is presented in an A3 sketchbook and is assessed with their final pieces. This accounts for 60% of their overall mark.
Examinations
The final exam is worth 40% of the overall mark.
Students are given a theme and have from January in Year 11 to prepare for their exam in March/April. They have 10 hours to produce a planned piece of work. This might sound daunting but students always produce their best piece of work for the exam and enjoy the experience.
Examination Board: AQA
Course Code: 8203
This exciting course is suitable for students who are really interested in Art and Design in general but have a desire to study Graphic Art further. All students work from a given theme or brief, initially exploring this together as a group, working from observation, researching artists, illustrators and graphic designers, exploring materials and learning new techniques including how to use Adobe Photoshop skilfully and effectively. Students then develop their own idea and produce a high quality, professional looking finished piece of work to the scale of their choice. Over the two year course, two units of coursework are completed. Regular homework will be set and enthusiastic, hardworking students are welcomed onto this course.
Anyone considering a career in graphics, advertising, publishing, illustration, fashion, architecture, interior design, theatre and film design etc, could take this course as a solid grounding in Art and Design with an emphasis on Graphic Art.
Coursework
Students are required to submit a portfolio of work from the best of their work in Year 10/11. All their drawing and research is presented in an A3 sketchbook and is assessed with their final pieces. This accounts for 60% of their overall mark.
Examinations
The final exam is worth 40% of the overall mark.
Students are given a theme and have from January in Year 11 to prepare an individual final planned piece of work for their exam in March/April. They have 10 hours to complete this piece. Students relish the opportunity to have a final flourish in Graphic Art at GCSE level and really show what they have learnt over the two year course. This GCSE feeds directly into the Art Graphics A level which runs successfully within the Art Department.
Examination Board: AQA
Course Code: 8206
Students will work with digital cameras, at first exploring introductory elements of photography and photo manipulation software, before going on to develop a portfolio of work that explores a theme.
You will use a digital camera to take photographs and make regular use of Adobe Photoshop to enhance your images. You will also explore more experimental aspects of photography and the creative use of Photoshop.
To get the most out of this course you will need your own camera. Ideally this will be a dSLR (digital single lens reflex) or ‘mirrorless’ camera. Speak to Jody about this if you are unsure.
Regular homework will be set to support the learning aims of the course.
Studying GCSE Photography would be an excellent grounding for careers in the field of Photography itself, as well as film, media, animation and many other creative fields.
Coursework
Coursework comprises 60% of the final mark. You will build a portfolio around a single project, leading up to a final piece later on in the course. As part of the coursework you will study the work of other photographers, write about their work, and will use these as inspiration for your own work. You will record your work physically, including a log of content sheets. You will learn to select images for further development and will show this development process in your portfolio.
Examinations
The exam comprises 40% of the final mark. Students are given the exam paper which provides several starting points and students have from January to March/April to prepare for their final piece.
Examination Board: AQA
Course Code: 7202
This course is suitable for students who have a higher grade in GCSE Art. Students should see the course co-ordinator or assistant to check they have enough experience for the course. It is an exciting and creative course that has a record of excellent results.
During the first term, students will work on a range of skills and ideas to extend their knowledge of artists and try out new media and techniques. Work to be assessed for the A level will start in January of the first year and will be based on a theme chosen by the student.
Component 1 – Personal Investigation (60%)
Students will visit London galleries and choose artists to inspire them to help shape and develop their own theme for this unit. They will work on this until February half term of the following year. They will need to show the development of their journey in a sketchbook and final piece(s) of work. Students will write a 1000-3000 word analysis to summarise their learning.
Component 2 – Externally set Assignment (40%)
Students are given starting points on 1 February and prepare for a 15 hour examination piece. They investigate and show their development of artists, ideas and their journey on prep sheets ready to start the examination in May.
Leading to a career in:
Any area of Art and Design including the
following..
Fine Art
Graphic Design
Theatre and Film Set Design
Fashion Design
Costume Design
Textile Design
Architecture
Illustration
Animation
Examination Board: AQA
Course Code: 7203
This course is suitable for students who have a higher grade in GCSE Graphic Art or Fine Art. Students should see the Course Coordinator or Assistant to check for suitability. This is an exciting and creative course with a proven record of excellent results. A gallery visit to London is an integral and important part of the course.
During the first term, students will work on a range of skills and ideas to extend their knowledge of artists, illustrators and graphic designers and try out new media and techniques. Work to be assessed for the A level will start in January of the first year and will be based on a theme chosen by the student.
Component 1 – Personal Investigation (60%)
Students will visit London galleries and choose artists to inspire them to help shape and develop their own theme for this unit. They will work on this until February half term of the following year. They will need to show the development of their journey in a sketchbook and final piece(s) of work. Students will write a 1000-3000 word analysis to summarise their learning.
Component 2 – Externally set Assignment (40%)
Students are given starting points on 1 February and prepare for a 15 hour examination piece. They investigate and show their development of artists, ideas and their journey on prep sheets ready to start the examination in May.
Leading to a career in:
Advertising
Marketing
CGI for Film
Graphic Design
Theatre and Film Set Design
Animation
Fashion Design
Costume Design
Surface Pattern Design
Architecture
Illustration
