Art and Design
In Art and Design we aim to foster creativity, an understanding of visual language and independent learning skills, and above all enjoyment through the opportunities we offer.
“Art is not what you see but what you make others see.”
Edward Degas
Course description
In Key Stage 3, students develop their visual and tactile skills through the key areas of drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. They explore and develop an understanding of different cultures, and study a range of traditional and contemporary art movements, which are used to stimulate their own ideas.
Throughout Year 7 students complete a series of observational drawing and painting to develop fine motor and observational skills. Through studying the work of Jasper Johns they are challenged to explore and create abstract painting and monoprint outcomes. During the Spring term students generate repeated pattern designs inspired by African textiles and complete the year with an Aboriginal inspired ceramic tile.
In Year 8 students extend their observational drawing and painting skills linked to contemporary artists. During the Autumn term they create a ceramic sculpture inspired by an underwater theme. Printmaking skills are furthered during the spring term with reduction lino printing techniques before completing the year painting in the style of Michael Craig-Martin.
In Year 9 students explore the exciting work of multimedia artist Fabric Lenny during the autumn term. Students respond by creating a colourful sculptural card bird which is decorated in bright acrylic paint. Through the year students return to all four key skills of painting, drawing, printmaking and sculpture. During the spring and summer terms our focus returns to colour theory and exploring mark making through observational drawing and painting work inspired by the artist Gerorgio Morandi.
Assessments
Pupils complete 6 assessment tasks during the academic year across the skills of drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. They receive individual feedback and a target to follow when returning to that skill focus.
Ways to help my child succeed
Students are given homework once per fortnight to encourage them to work independently on the development of ideas or upon the consolidation of skills learnt in class. It is important that students make full use of the resources provided and we would encourage parents to read through the resources with them. Parents can support by ensuring that the student has space to work and has basic art equipment such as pencils, coloured pencils and glue.
Useful websites
www.artyfactory.com
www.nationalgallery.org.uk
www.tate.org.uk
Course description
The GCSE Course in Art and Design encourages pupils to think critically and to develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design.
During the Autumn and Spring term of Year 10 students complete a range of skill building workshops based on the key areas of drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. Connections between student’s work and the work of artists are made. During the summer term students commence work on their Unit 1 coursework project, based on the theme of fragments, students are given a range of different possible outcomes for this project to help develop a more independent approach to their artwork.
In Year 11 pupils complete their Unit 1 coursework during the Autumn term. This project provides further opportunity for pupils to develop their own project ideas with individual support and guidance from their teacher. Pupils are encouraged to work to their strengths from their skills in painting and drawing, printmaking, photography and sculpture. In Year 11 and are encouraged to become increasingly independent with their own creative ideas and outcomes.
Exam board
Assessments
There are four assessment Objectives which are marked as pupils complete their coursework. At the end of Year 11 the coursework which makes up 60% of the final grade is marked internally as a whole and marks submitted for external moderation. Unit 2 which makes up 40% of the final grade is internally assessed and externally moderated.
Ways to help my child succeed
Pupils studying GCSE Art and Design will need to complete work on their portfolios each week and will also need to visit galleries and carry out research for their work. You can support your child by providing a suitable space for them to work on their artwork at home and access to the internet for the purpose of research. Access to a camera and a colour printer is useful but pupils are able to use these facilities at school.
Useful websites
www.nationalgallery.org.uk
www.tate.org.uk
www.studentartguide.com