Art and Design at RPA
"Art is the one vocation which gives individuals the space to realise themselves in knowing themselves."
Harold Rosenberg from The De-Definition of Art
Art and Design at Richmond Park Academy
The Art curriculum will challenge the stereotype of dead white European male as exemplary artist and facilitate understanding of visual language regardless of prior experience, background, race or gender through extensive exploration of how to communicate ideas visually. Lessons are structured to ensure accumulative knowledge of visual language and the work of creative practitioners combined with the acquisition of skills, techniques and processes to enable visual communication of increasingly individual ideas and concerns.
Who's who in the team
Ms W Briggs - Subject Leader
Ms A Eastham - Teacher of Art
Students learn to communicate their ideas visually through exploring visual elements, using a variety of media, materials, techniques and processes. They work with traditional and new media, developing confidence, competence, imagination and creativity. They learn to appreciate and value images and artefacts across times and cultures, and to understand the contexts in which they were made. Students are encouraged to reflect critically on their own and each other’s work and also on the work of artists, designers and craftspeople in order to further develop ideas and understand techniques and genres.
We run both GCSE and A Level art courses. At GCSE we follow the Art, Craft & Design specification set by AQA examination Board and at A Level we follow the Fine Art specification set by AQA examination Board. At both KS4 and KS5 we encourage an adventurous and enquiring approach to art and design. They learn to think and act as artists, craftspeople and designers, working creatively and intelligently.
At KS4 and KS5 we arrange gallery visits and workshops outside school and when possible visits will be arranged for KS3 art students. KS3 students are encouraged to join extra curricular activities that we run during and after school.
Art at Key Stage 3
In Key Stage 3, students have one session per week. They learn about how to communicate ideas visually using a broad range of media, materials, techniques and processes. Students look at, discuss and reference the work of artists, designers & craftspeople from the past and present day and from a range of cultures and traditions. Students develop their creativity, ideas and increase proficiency in their execution. They develop a critical understanding of artists, designers and craftspeople and learn how to form reasoned judgements which informs their own work.
The students study the following units:
Year 7
Visual language
Line, shape and space
Texture and urban landscapes
Year 8
Still Life
Drawing and Steampunk
Colour
Perspective
Art in context
3D Construction
Year 9
Portraits and identity
Landscapes
Brands, design and packaging
My surroundings
Art at Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4 students can take GCSE Art, Craft and Design
Exam Board: AQA
Refining key knowledge, skills, techniques and processes.
Investigating and responding to the work of Artists, Designers and Craftspeople
Developing an individual unit of work from a choice of given starting points.
Portfolio presentation
Developing a body of work in response to an externally set assignment and planning the final outcome carried out under examination conditions.
Art at Key Stage 5
At Key Stage 5 students study Fine Art
Exam Board: AQA
Art history, understanding how art has developed and the influences of its development
Critical and contextual understanding to inform an individual way of working
A Personal Investigation into an idea, issue, concept or theme, supported by written material of 1000 - 3000 words.
Developing a body of work in response to an externally set assignment and planning the final outcome carried out under examination conditions.
Future Careers
Advertising
Marketing
Architecture
Crafts
Product Design
Graphic Design
Fashion design
Film
TV production
Video production
Radio
Photography
IT software
Computer services
Publishing
Museum work
Gallery work
Performing and Visual Arts