ART & DESIGN

OUR CURRICULUM INTENT

Art teaches students how to see, interpret and understand the world around them. It encourages students to express themselves and leave a lasting mark within their community. Art and creativity are the building blocks of innovation. It develops critical thinking and practical skills in a unique way to other subjects that are highly sought after in both the creative industries and beyond.

We develop young artists who are equipped with the skills, knowledge and visual literacy to find their own visual language. To do this we develop their creativity, knowledge and investigation skills and encourage them to be bold in their exploration of ideas and brave in the execution of their outcomes. 

Key Stage 3 : Modules Taught

Key Stage 4 

We offer option routes in GCSE Art & Design which can lead onto studying A Level Art & Design or Photography. 

In the GCSE Art & Design course, pupils will have the opportunity to work in both two and three dimensions, exploring a wide variety of media. In addition, through the use of a diverse selection of visual sources, pupils will be encouraged to explore ideas imaginatively. Research on different artists and designers and experimentation with different media will be a source of inspiration to pupils enabling them to produce creative pieces of art work.  

​The GCSE Art & Design exam board is Edexcel and the course is made up of two components listed below. Students explore various themes and create various outcomes using different materials and techniques including drawing, clay sculpture, lino printing, mixed media and painting. Throughout the course students will also be working in a sketchbook developing ideas, analysing artists practising techniques, demonstrating drawing and designing.  

• Students will develop and explore ideas 

• Students will research primary and contextual sources

• Students will experiment with media, materials, techniques

• Students will processes & present personal response(s) to theme(s) set.

At the end of the year students will create one of the outcomes during a 10 hour exam period spread across two days. Students have 10 school weeks to prepare for the 10 hour external exam.  Students will choose the direction of the assignment and medium they wish to use.  Sketchbooks are still important and evidence their ability to develop ideas, analyse artists, experiment with materials, demonstrate drawing ability and design their exam piece.

Examination Boards : KS4 : Art & Design - Pearson (EdExcel)

Key Stage 5

A Level Art & Design

The start of the course is designed to introduce students to new ways of thinking about art and unusual methods of creating artwork to build resilience, perseverance and problem solving skills to enable them to approach the rest of the course with independence and confidence. Teaching is based on facilitating students’ ideas and skill development through coaching, individual and group tutorials and workshop style lessons. 

This course enables students either to pursue either a general Fine Art enquiry or to specialise in a recognised field of Art and Design such as Architecture, Graphic Design and Illustration to name a few. All exam courses end with an exciting and ambitious exhibition and post16 students are supported in creating a high quality portfolio to support university application. Many of our students choose to study Art at higher educational institutions and, out of those who have applied, 100% have successfully gained a place.  Students have gone on to study degrees and foundation courses at such places as Ravensbourne, Kingston, Greenwich, Camberwell and Central St Martins.  

A Level Photography

Our projects have been carefully evolved so that students practice photographic techniques, digital and analogue processes, digital software manipulation and photographic presentation through exciting themes that often link with learning in other subjects. Introducing and developing a range of media, skills, techniques, processes and concepts that enable students to develop their ideas, express themselves and have the confidence to use a range of visual elements in the making of photographs, outcomes and critical judgments.

BTEC Level 3 Fashion 

The intention of the Fashion and Textiles curriculum is to broaden knowledge and understanding of the Fashion design process. The course will allow students opportunities to develop and master a wide range of skills. Learners will study visual recording and communication, critical analysis and production skills to produce Art and Design outcomes within the context of Fashion and Textiles. Students will study three mandatory units which will explore the creative process, methods of visually recording and analysis of the work of artists and designers. Students will then study specific Fashion unit which will solidify their skills and knowledge. We hope to instil a genuine love of creativity within our students and enable them to feel a genuine sense of achievement and ownership of their work. Students develop their own signature style, design process based off of research and make garments, developing their pattern cutting, construction and sewing skills.  

Examination Boards : KS5 : Art, Craft & Design - Pearson (EdExcel)

Examination Boards : KS5 : Photography - Pearson (EdExcel)

Examination Boards : KS5 : BTEC Level 3 Art & Design FASHION - Pearson (EdExcel)

EXTRA CURRICULAR & ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• KS3 Art Clubs

• KS4 & KS5 Booster Clubs

• Art competitions through the year

• Visiting artists - In house workshops where students explore creative disciples outside of their lessons - 'be an artist for a day'

• Gallery visits - Exploring arts and cultures in pofessional creative settings

KS5 Photography & Art Enrichment Trip : FORMA Creative Aspiration Fair & Tate Modern Gallery.

KS5 Students were able to meet with representatives of world renowned undergraduate and postgraduate courses, offering direct insight into the application process and studying with them, and partake in workshops also….then we popped over to the Tate to get first hand experience of real world Art exhibitions