Courses

KS3

Year 7

At the start of year 7 there is a short project which covers the four main Assessment Objectives as effective working methods and introduces students to some of the key formal elements.  They develop a number of skills including observational drawing, how to investigate the work of relevant artists and how to develop creative ideas, through experimenting with a range of media, processes and techniques.As the year progresses students broaden their understanding of what art is through investigating abstract styles and their meaning, including understanding links between words, music and imagery. They also learn ways to represent different environments with a strong emphasis on mark making, composition, perspective and colour, through drawing, painting and printmaking.

Year 8

During year 8, students continue to develop their drawing skills in a variety of ways including portraiture in a range of styles including realistically from observation photorealism and the effective use of symbolism.  The Art and Craft of different cultures is explored, with particular focus on pattern, colour and shape.  Students also gain an understanding of contemporary design and investigate branding and logos. They will have the opportunity to explore movement in art including how to animate.

Year 9

In year 9 students explore different craft styles, and from their investigations, develop their own designs in a number of different ways.  Students will learn how to represent the human form before developing a theme based around their knowledge. They will investigate surrealism and explore ways in which they can create their own creative outcomes, including using ICT as well as more traditional methods.

By the end of year 9 students will be able to show independence by creatively developing their own outcomes, based on their investigations. Draw effectively in a number of ways relevant to purpose, including from observation and in design work. Have a strong understanding of how the work of others from different times and cultures can inspire them. They will have an understanding of and will be able to create artwork using a range of media processes and techniques including, drawing, painting, print making, photography, three-dimensional sculpture, textile processes and digital media.

KS4 - GCSE Art Craft and Design

Year 10

In year 10 Students begin Component 1 with a number of workshops using natural and manmade objects as a starting point. This gives them a strong understanding of the formal elements, as well as practical skills using a range of media, processes, and techniques, including observational drawing, photography, painting, printmaking, textiles and ceramics.  They develop effective learning skills which will set them up to achieve the strongest portfolio of work with excellent outcomes, whilst automatically ensuring that they achieve the GCSE grade that they deserve.

Students research and learn from a variety of relevant artists to inform their own work, as well as being inspired by art first hand when visiting galleries.  As the workshops progress, students are encouraged to show increased independence with their decision making and creative ideas, have confidence to take risks and learn from mistakes. The workshops give a strong foundation to build upon, in which they have a thorough understanding of technical possibilities as well as a confidence in how to develop and present a theme effectively.  After Christmas they have the opportunity to build upon this by choosing their own creative direction to develop the theme towards an ambitious outcome.

At Easter, students choose from a list of themes to investigate, including Identity, Environments and Pattern. This forms the starting point of a Major GCSE project in which they have more independence to research inspirational artists and explore media processes and techniques appropriate to their own creative intentions. During the Summer term there is an end of year test, which involves a day of art in which an ambitious outcome is created based on each student’s current line of enquiry. They then continue to develop their theme over the holidays and into Year 11.

Year 11

In Terms 1 students continue to develop their chosen theme through learning different approaches by relevant chosen artists and experimenting with appropriate media processes and techniques. During Term 2 they will have the opportunity to develop the theme in an even more creative, focused direction, towards a final ambitious outcome which realises their intentions to the highest standard possible. There is an emphasis on thorough preparatory work with a strong emphasis on reviewing and refining to achieve their goals. This Project will be added to the rest of the portfolio of work from Year 10 to form component 1.

At the start of Term 3, students begin Component 2.  They choose one of the themes, set by AQA, as a starting point to develop their own independent project, which fulfils all of the 4 Assessment Objectives. They visit a gallery to help inspire them and inform the development of their own work as it develops.

By this point students are more confident to follow their own creative ideas and have an understanding of how to develop a theme using effective working methods to ensure that they are successful. They are able to us any media that they feel is relevant to their intentions, learn from artists of their choice and develop the theme through to an ambitious outcome. All preparatory work must is completed before the 10 hour timed exam in which the final outcome is created. The timed exam period is scheduled across two days at the end of April.

By the end of Year 11, students are able to able to:

• Show a body of work across two components which effectively reflects their creative journey and the standard of artist they have become.
• Have a better understanding of who they are as an artist and have pride in how far they have developed.
• Be fluent in a range of media and understand how to use processes and techniques effectively to achieve purposeful and meaningful outcomes.
• Be open minded and continually inquisitive. 
• Make independent creative decisions and act upon them. 
• Have confidence to take risks and learn from their mistakes. 

These are all key to be successful if they are continuing the subject at A Level, but many are also transferable skills that will stand them in good stead to approach other subjects they go on to study and beyond.