Art & Design
We have a vision for a Remarkable curriculum in Art where you will develop an appreciation of the history of Art, experience a range of different artistic skills and understand the value and importance of Art in our world.
Developing Moral Capital
Our Moral capital in Art allows students to have the opportunity to understand how Art can influence and reflect themes of morality. In Art we explore moral dilemmas and moral challenges in society. Through the lens of surrealist art, we look sensitively at the issues faced by LGBT communities and ensure that the Art space is a welcoming, and inclusive space.
When participating in curricular and extracurricular activities, students frequently critique their own and each other's work and this is done with sensitivity and respect, understanding the impact of our words on others.
Developing Social Capital
In Art we aim to ensure all students are able to develop their self-awareness and understanding of their place in the world. This is reflected in how we share and display work, giving value to their artistic contributions at TTC and celebrating it publicly wherever possible. Students in Art will understand and be encouraged to develop their relationships with each other and with their teachers to talk openly and honestly about their experiences in Art. Paired and group work to build discussion around challenging and engaging topics and share their views feature regularly in our lessons to build students’ confidence and resilience. Students are encouraged to engage in a range of art competitions, both locally and nationally to develop their confidence and build resilience in a competitive environment.
Developing Cultural Capital
Art naturally lends itself to developing cultural awareness and capital and at TTC, this means students exploring a range of artistic works and influences from around the world. Art history helps students to understand the development of Art and how it influences and reflects society through time. One such opportunity is the study of Native American art in Year 8 where they delve into the values and belief systems which are inherent to Native American art. Students are able to experiment with a range of different art forms whilst learning about the influences on artistic movements and patterns, including key historic events. After school clubs, home learning, gallery visits and artist visits to the school help students to immerse themselves in other cultures but also to understand their place in sustaining an appreciation of art throughout their lives.
Developing Knowledge Capital
Our Art curriculum is designed with rich opportunities for all students to be able to succeed in Art and this success takes many forms. They learn skills and concepts such as drawing, proportion, media and colour theory. Students at TTC are able to explore and develop areas of interest to them - for some students, it is the development of their fine art skills in painting; for others it is exploring Art through the medium of sculpture, but for all, it is the development of their understanding and appreciation of Art as expression. Students develop skills which test their physical ability in terms of control, their creativity in realising an idea and their evaluation skills in being able to make critical judgements about their own and others’ work. Students produce work that is visually stimulating and thought-provoking.
Those who wish to extend their knowledge and experience further are able to engage with our full range of extracurricular clubs and activities at Key Stages 3 and 4. At Key Stage 5, our students develop an appreciation of Fine Art and their work is grander in scope and scale, where they are able to capitalise on the opportunities they have experienced in their lower school and GCSE study.
Developing Community Capital
Extracurricular clubs across the Creative and Performing Arts allow students to work with students from diverse backgrounds. By doing so students learn to accept and respect cultural differences. Students develop the ability to tell between right and wrong through discussion and debate in class, particularly when exploring the experiences of different artists and communities over time. We encourage purposeful participation in activities and events throughout the year to ensure our students are active and cognisant of their place in the community and feel able to use their voice for the good of themselves and others.
Curriculum Roadmaps KS3 - Year 7
Curriculum Roadmaps KS3 - Year 8
Curriculum Roadmaps KS3 - Year 9
Curriculum Roadmaps KS4 - Year 10 & 11
Curriculum Roadmaps KS5 - Year 12 & 13
Key Stage 3
The Department works in two large studios, equipped for a range 2D and 3D artwork, exploring a variety of materials and processes. Students will learn to master a variety of creative skills throughout year 7, 8 and 9. The Art & Design Department at Thorpe Campus aims to establish a supportive and creative atmosphere in which students can develop their visual awareness and related practical skills, learning about and developing a critical appreciation of the richness and variety of our cultural past and present. Students develop and deepen their knowledge of Art History and artists through themes explored in project work. Teaching in the department encourages risk-taking as a means of exploring media, materials and processes in order to build resilience and a love of Art and Design.
Key Stage 4
At Frinton Campus students in years 10 and 11 are given further opportunities to explore areas of interest in a more personalized way. We follow the AQA exam board syllabus for Fine Art and students are taught to use a wide range of 2D and 3D media, techniques and processes in traditional disciplines such as drawing, painting, sculpture and printmaking supported by developing their critical understanding of art and artists. Students complete a portfolio of work for submission towards the end of yr 11. This consists of two projects, the first of which is based on developing the strengths and skills mastered at KS3 and the second is approached in a more independent and individualized manner to exploit students’ strengths in the subject. Students develop their work through the use of sketchbooks and larger scale pieces to fully explore ideas and concepts. By the time students have completed the portfolio component they will be fully equipped with the confidence and skills to demonstrate their strengths in the externally set assignment from which students select and respond to a chosen starting point.
Key Stage 5
Students are encouraged to explore and experiment with a broad range of techniques and disciplines including: drawing; painting; print making; sculpture and graphics.
Formative assessment is carried out regularly, both by staff and students to establish progress, improve work and identify how to support further development. There are two components to the course consisting of a coursework unit and the externally set assignment. Both components are internally assessed using exam board criteria and marks are confirmed by external moderation.