ART & DT

Art at Somervale School

Through the Art curriculum at Somervale School, students are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to express their creativity and engage with art in diverse and meaningful ways. The Art curriculum is designed to nurture students’ creativity and artistic skills through a structured program that spans Key Stages 3 and 4. This curriculum lays a strong practical foundation in various artistic disciplines, including drawing, painting, sculpture, and printmaking. It promotes skill development and progression, preparing students for future careers in the arts while integrating traditional media with modern technology, such as photo-editing software.

The Year 7 curriculum begins with an Introduction to Art in Term 1, focusing on foundational drawing skills. Students will engage in observational drawing, tonal shading, line drawing, and mark-making. A baseline drawing test in October assesses their skills. In Term 2, the focus shifts to Colour Theory, where students learn about color mixing, blending, and harmony while studying the works of Hilma af Klint. Assessment in this unit emphasizes sketchbook work. In Terms 3 and 4, the curriculum explores Portraits, teaching students observation drawing techniques and painting with block colors, inspired by the artist Julian Opie. Assessment includes sketchbook work and a final outcome. The year concludes with a project on Animals in a Landscape in Terms 5 and 6, where students will utilize printmaking, collage, and mixed media, studying Mark Hearld's work for inspiration.

Year 8 begins with a project centered on the Mexican Day of the Dead during Terms 1 and 2, focusing on mark-making and mixed media. Students will learn to develop their ideas through the study of artist José Posada, with assessments based on sketchbook work and a final outcome. In Terms 3 and 4, the focus shifts to Architecture, where students explore mono printing and develop their ideas through the works of Steven Wiltshire. Assessment again includes sketchbook work and a final product. The year concludes with a Graffiti Lettering project in Terms 5 and 6, emphasizing color blending and grid techniques, inspired by the artist Ben Eine.

In Year 9, students start with a project on Shepard Fairey, where they develop skills in painting and mixed media. Assessments will include sketchbook work and a final outcome. The following term features a project based on Alice in Wonderland, encouraging students to design and create a diorama while learning about depth through layers, influenced by Tim Burton’s work. Finally, in Terms 5 and 6, students explore African Art, focusing on repeating patterns and color theory while researching the Adinkra symbols. Assessment includes sketchbook work and the final outcome.

Students have the option to pursue GCSE Fine Art or GCSE Photography in Year 10. The Fine Art course emphasizes drawing and painting skills, with students starting their personal coursework projects, which constitute 60% of their total marks. Photography students focus on photographic and editing techniques, also beginning their personal coursework project worth 60% of their total marks.

In Year 11, Fine Art students finalize their personal coursework projects, accounting for 60% of their overall marks, and prepare for an externally set exam worth 40%. Similarly, Photography students complete their personal coursework project and prepare for their external examination.

If you have any questions about our Art & DT curriculum, please feel free to contact me at sohare@somervaleschool.com.

Welcome to the Somervale Design & Technology Department

The Design and Technology curriculum at Somervale provides students with a broad and balanced mix of practical and theoretical learning, helping them develop skills to thrive in a technological world. Over five years, students will:

• Build creative, technical, and practical expertise to confidently complete everyday tasks.

• Apply skills, knowledge, and understanding to design and make high-quality products.

• Critique, evaluate, and test ideas and products, including their own.

• Learn the principles of nutrition and prepare dishes for independent living.

In Year 7, students explore four Design and Technology specialisms, spending 8 weeks in each. The curriculum starts with a short project introducing key themes, followed by:

• Food: Focus on healthy lifestyles, food safety, and basic cooking skills.

• Design Skills (STEM): Introduction to CAD and CAM, design for a target market, and product manufacturing.

• Textiles: Sewing and surface decoration techniques to create a "Bag for Life."

• Product Design: Upcycling project, focusing on sustainability and renewable materials.

Assessment is based on tests and booklet work.

In Year 8, students build on Year 7 knowledge, spending 9 weeks on each specialism:

• Food: Special diets and adapting recipes for specific dietary needs.

• Design Skills (STEM): Energy, sustainability, structures, and mechanisms.

• Textiles: Design and make pyjama shorts, focusing on garment patterns and construction.

• Product Design: Work with metals, exploring properties of materials like copper, pewter, and aluminium9** In Year 9, students continue to develop skills in each specialism:

In Year 9, students spend 9 weeks on each specialism to further extend their knowledge and skills:

• Food: International cuisines and adapting recipes for consumer needs.

• Design Skills: Designing a community park with focus on space and design methods.

• Textiles: Creating a cushion cover with sensory features.

• Product Design: Lighting project involving soldering and manufacturing a USB lamp.

Assessment is by test and booklet work.

Year 10 and 11 Options

Students choose between two options:

1. Hospitality and Catering (Level 1/2) focuses on the hospitality industry, nutrition, and food safety. It is assessed through coursework (60%) and an exam (40%). Students complete practical exams and a coursework project in Year 11.

2. Design and Technology: Product Design (GCSE) covers design principles, research, modelling, and technical skills. It is assessed through coursework (50%) and a written exam (50%).

Both courses prepare students for higher education or careers in their chosen fields.