Art Class

Pupils refine their technique, including their control and their use of materials, with creativity, experimentation and an increasing awareness of different materials available for them to explore with. Their work is recorded in a sketch book which they will begin to use to review and revisit ideas, to improve and refine their techniques and develop their skills, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials for example, pencil, charcoal, paint, clay, preparing them for KS3 and beyond.

KS3

Throughout years 7, 8 and 9 our pupils’ build on the skills and good practice developed in Lower School. They have the opportunity to explore different disciplines within Art and Design; Drawing & Painting; Textiles; Photography; Graphics; Sculpture and Digital Art. Our KS3 Art curriculum follows the National Curriculum for KS3 Art and Design and is designed to;

• Refine art skills and techniques with a range of different medias; pencil, pen, paint, collage, ink, pastel or clay.

• Understand the Formal Elements of Art; Line, Colour, Texture, Shape, Form, Tone and Pattern.

• Develop knowledge and awareness about the world we live in so they become well-rounded individuals.

Pupils will study a wide range of themes such as: Colour Theory, The Natural World, Art and Celebrations in Different Cultures, Monsters/Aliens and Insects, Urban and Rural Landscapes, Portraiture and Architecture. Pupils will gain inspiration through a range of sources such as traditional and contemporary artists, current topics, local and national locations, popular culture and gallery visits. The curriculum also allows for pupils to guide their own artwork and choose themes based on their personal interests in preparation for GCSE.

KS4

In KS4 pupils have the option to take a GCSE in Art and Design. We explore a wide range of themes and starting points, preparing them for their examination in year 11. They are given the opportunity to experiment with a variety of ideas, processes and materials in order to meet the assessment objectives for their Eduqas GCSE in Art and Design.

Pupils are encouraged to be independent and develop problem-solving and technical skills through their artwork and research both contemporary and historical artists and designers for inspiration. In Year 10 pupils have the opportunity to explore the work and be influenced by a number of Artists linked to their ideas including Roy Lichtenstein, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, H. R. Giger, Van Gogh, Aaron Kraten and David Wight. It is also important to learn to reflect on their own work and ideas to create personal responses.

In Year 10 we focus on the first part of the GCSE Exam Component 1: The Portfolio. Students build a portfolio of work to create a personal response to various themes which demonstrates a broad range of experimenting, investigating, annotating and showcases their refining of skills and techniques with different materials.

In Year 11 we continue to build on prior knowledge, access new materials and processes to complete the Component 1 Portfolio and begin work on Component 2: The Externally Set Task.

Pupils are given the externally-set assignment as an exam paper in the January of Year 11. This contains a series of exciting starting points. GCSE Candidates choose one question and have approximately 10 weeks to research and develop their work. At the end of the preparation period they will participate in a 10 hour practical exam to create their final personal response.