VISUAL ARTS

The Visual Arts department at TPS has a focus upon giving our students the freedom to explore a range of influences, techniques and media, developing intellectual and conceptual ways of thinking. 

This leads to the making of personal responses through the creation of artwork that is to be appreciated primarily or solely for its imaginative, aesthetic or intellectual content.  We believe that an engagement with the independent and collaborative skills required to be a successful artist provide important transferable skills in an increasingly visually diverse world.

In our subject intent, highlighted by the following points we aim to:

• INSPIRE our students to be independent, inquisitive and creative thinkers through demonstration, support and freedom

• DEVELOP students into game changers and autonomous learners who thrive in an environment of risk taking

• GROW our students’ understanding of the world through skills-based tasks and discussions on the impact of cultural events. 

• NURTURE and CHALLENGE all students with schemes that encourage and support an individualised approach

• PREPARE our students for the future by teaching skills and techniques with a focus on career pathways and opportunities

Our bright and spacious Art studio rooms are our main teaching spaces. In Year 7 and 8, students gain experience in various disciplines including drawing, painting, ceramics and photography. 

Students can choose to continue to study Fine Art or Photography at Key Stage 4, where they will get the opportunity to go on trips and visits.  Most recently, we have been to Tuscany, Italy and every year we visit London’s Tate Galleries with Year 9.

Year 7

• Exploring Art through investigation of colour and the formal elements

• Exploring how art often conveys messages and meaning by appreciating the work of others

• Exploring the visual language of art throughout different Cultures

Year 8

• World appreciation- Developing personal visual language through creative responses to world events, issues or innovations.

• Sculpture- Developing a wider repertoire of practical skills in three-dimensional media.

• Art Movements and Genres- Developing independent and creative skills whilst responding to a diverse range of art movements and genres.

GCSE Fine Art

Year 9:

• Formal Elements- Enriching skill level and diversity of techniques and use of media whilst considering how to exploit the formal elements

• Teacher led creative enquiry into a suggested project title, allowing freedom to explore. Enriching skills, styles and techniques with a program of workshops whilst studying a wide range of contemporary artists. Experimentation with ideas, media and processes that ultimately inform a variety of personal responses in a GCSE style sketchbook project.

• A second teacher led creative enquiry into a different suggested project title, allowing freedom to explore. Further enriching different skills, styles and techniques with a program of workshops, with the aim of building a comprehensive practical and creative toolkit for students to develop more independently in the following years. 

Year 10:

• Independent supported student led enquiry into a hypotheses based around the ‘physical and visual elements’.

• Independent student led enquiry into a hypotheses based around a conceptual, cultural, spiritual, moral approach.

• Portfolio project development

Year 11:

• Mock Exam preparation

• Externally Set Task

GCSE Photography

Year 9:

• Formal Elements- Workshop skills and technique sessions exploring a range of media processes that will be introduced and developed based on a variety of starting points - Line, tone, texture, form, colour, and composition.

• Independent student led enquiry based upon a suggested theme - Use and development of a variety of key technical skills and Photoshop techniques. Experimentation with ideas, media and processes that ultimately inform a variety of personal responses in a GCSE style presentation or journal.

Year 10:

• Independent supported student led enquiry into a hypotheses based around the ‘physical and visual elements’. Building upon technical skills introduced and developed in year 9.

• Independent student led enquiry into a hypotheses based around a conceptual, cultural, spiritual, moral approach. Refining and developing technical skills.

• Portfolio project development

Year 11:

• Mock Exam preparation

• Externally Set Task