Art and Design
Faculty Leader: Ms H Houston
Updated intent available soon.
“Every child is an Artist” – Pablo Picasso
The Art, Craft and Design curriculum has been designed to develop the talents and ambitions of all our students through a broad and challenging knowledge-based curriculum.
In Art, Craft and Design students 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. Students learn to appreciate and value images and artifacts across times and cultures, and to understand the contexts in which they were made. Students reflect critically on their own and other people’s work, judging quality, value and meaning. They learn to think and act as artists, craftspeople and designers, working creatively and intelligently.
Key Stage 3
In Year 7 students focus on the key skills of colour theory and drawing exercises. As many of our students have different starting points, we run a broader arts curriculum at the start of the year, enabling each student to reach the same point in knowledge and understanding by the end of the second term.
In Year 8 students continue to develop their skills through project-based work. Projects incorporate a wide range of art skills and techniques including drawing, painting, ceramics, printing and photography. Students have the opportunity to study other cultures and various contemporary artists, including Natasha Clutterbuck and Katie De Groot. They also create artwork based on the themes of Christ at Christmas and The Easter Story.
In Year 9 students start with a training unit, exploring a wide range of materials and techniques. They are encouraged to experiment and analyse their work as it progresses. Mixed media is widely practiced, also printing and sculpture.
The research and analysis of various artists, crafts people and designers are linked to each scheme enabling students to form their own opinions of artwork. Students are encouraged to work independently, developing their own styles of work.
Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4 students can choose to study AQA GCSE Art and Design: Art, Craft and Design and/or AQA GCSE Art and Design: Photography.
In AQA GCSE Art and Design: Art, Craft and Design, Year 10 students investigate Natural Forms. They explore with a range of techniques and materials including collage, print, mixed media, paint, photography and ceramics. Students are also invited to The Creative Media College to see the arts facilities and work with the tutors there to broaden student knowledge and experiences.
In the summer term, Year 10 students start to develop a more independent journey, where students select a starting point and create a personal response.
In Year 11, students focus on their exam. The final exam is for two days and to focuses on bringing together all they have learnt. This is then celebrated in an end of year exhibition where friends and family can see the skills they have developed.
In AQA GCSE Art and Design: Photography, students are introduced to a variety of experiences exploring a range of photographic techniques. Students explore relevant images, artefacts and resources relating to Photography and the wider range of art, craft and design. Students are encouraged to develop their ideas in a creative and personal manner. Students have structured lessons where they are taught the functions of the camera. Digital editing is taught using Adobe Photoshop.
What can I do with an Art and Design qualification?
GCSEs in Art, Craft and Design and Photography are not only for people who wish to take their art studies further or pursue a career in creative arts. It also develops your ability to work independently, think creatively and solve problems. These are important qualities whether applied to your professional or personal life, skills which colleges, universities and employers are looking for when selecting from a group of applicants.
There are now also many opportunities in the arts field and a high proportion of jobs in the UK are in this area. For example, art therapy, illustration, graphic design and animation, stage design, interior design, web design, fashion/jewellery design, goldsmith, game design, freelance artist/sculptor, potter, art teacher/lecturer, gallery curator, architecture, advertising and marketing. Photography covers a wide spectrum of careers ranging from forensics and journalism photography to portraits and artistic adventures.