Art & Design

Length of Course : The first year of a three year Key Stage 3 course

Course description and aims:

Art & Design is a crucial element in the curriculum entitlement of every student.

Understanding human experience, observing the world around us, having the ability to communicate ideas, to be creative and innovative, as well as a problem solver are all skills demanded by the rapidly evolving global economy.

Aim of this programme:

· To introduce students to exploring ideas and recording their experiences.

· To introduce students to a range of drawing techniques

· To evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design

· To know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms

Within the Year 7 Art & Design course pupils will be taught to develop their creativity and ideas, and increase proficiency in their execution. They will develop a critical understanding of artists and designers, expressing reasoned judgements that can inform their own work. From the start of year 7 students will explore basic drawing skills (tones, tints, hues) and mark making, while exploring different styles and techniques.

Main skills and technique covered:

· Basic drawing skills

· Introduction to colour theory and application

· Introduction to one/two additional skill sets - through the use of a variety of mediums such as pencil, oil pastels and water colour.

Contents:

· Basic drawing skills - Explore pencil types, line drawing, mark making, tone, form.

· Introduction to colour - Primary, secondary, tertiary colour. Mixing paints. Hues. Warm and cool colours.

· Introduction to one/two additional skill - compositions and mask making,

These skills are taught through a variety of projects/Schemes of Work that often    

change year to year.

Additional Course outcomes:

The study of Art & Design encourages students to develop the following skills:

· Creativity: Producing images and artefacts that are both original and of value/ taking risks and learning from mistakes/ exploring and experimenting with ideas, materials and tools

· Competence: Investigating, analysing, designing, making and reflecting effectively

· Cultural understanding: Engaging with a range of images and artists from different contexts, recognising the varied characteristics of different cultures

· Critical understanding: Exploring visual, tactile and other sensory qualities of their own and others’

work/identifying how values and meanings are conveyed/ developing their own views and expressing judgement

Types of assessment

Student progress is assessed both formatively (as part of an on-going process throughout lessons) and summative (at the end of every topic based or final piece project).

Assessment at Key Stage 3 is measured against stanines and progress maps. Students are encouraged to become involved in the assessment of their own work and that of peers.

We discuss marking criteria and lesson objectives thoroughly to ensure that students are aware of what level they are working towards and how they are going to achieve this. Self-assessment and peer assessment opportunities are also used. Peer assessment on an ongoing basis with regular teacher assessment during and at the end of each project. Sometimes marking can take the form of verbal feedback by the teacher.

Methodology

A variety of teaching styles are used to cater to the different learning styles of students. A range of activities which involve individual work, paired work, group work, project work and investigations are used to deliver the curriculum.

Text and materials

Many resources are also uploaded to Google Classrooms. The following websites will provide students with useful information to aid their studies in Art & Design. 

• Easy to understand guide that covers over 40 artistic styles and movements http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/

• Artists: https://www.theartstory.org/

• The creative industry http://www.bbc.co.uk/blast/art_design/

Grading policy

Students are given levels (1-9) using grading rubrics specific to each unit of work. All rubrics are drawn from the Art and Design progress map.

Additional expectations

To support learning both at home and potentially online, students are required to have a basic art set:

1. Set of sketching pencils (minimum of 5 shading pencils)

2. Color pencils – minimum set of 12

3. Black fine tip pen liner and marker

4. Rubber, ruler and glue stick

We encourage students to visit galleries and exhibitions when on holiday. This enables students to gain a better understanding of art and artists’ work.