In the Art department, we aim to give Year 7 students a rich and varied introduction to different ways of working with different media, techniques and materials in order to develop their skills, enthusiasm, understanding and confidence. The themes covered this year are concerned with pattern and mark making in their widest forms. Schemes of work may involve experimenting with printmaking, collage, pastels, digital image, drawing, painting, making etc and also an insight into the work of other artists along the way who may be appropriate to intentions and final outcomes.

In the Art department we aim to give our Year 8 students a rich and varied introduction to different ways of working with different media, techniques and materials in order to develop their skills, enthusiasm, understanding and confidence. The themes covered this year are concerned with colour – colour theory, mixing and expressive colour in Art including Fauvism and early abstract art. Schemes of work may involve experimenting with printmaking, collage, pastels, digital image, drawing, painting, making etc and also an insight into the work of other artists along the way who may be appropriate to intentions and final outcomes.

Art and Design aims to develop student’s awareness of the world; both how to interpret and respond to it visually. Year 9 teaching builds on the skills developed in the previous two years at KS3. Drawing from observation with a focus on proportion and tone underpin this year’s theme of ‘Identity’ which includes an understanding of portraiture and the wider topic of who we are. Students are introduced to relevant artist’s work to help inform a better understanding and inspire new ideas. Experimenting with materials may include using paint, collage, printmaking, 3D, digital work and a range of approaches to develop skills which we believe will equip students for further success, especially should they choose to take an art based subject at GCSE or beyond.

GCSE Art

Year 10 focuses on students developing key skills and the experience of their working, researching and experimenting in many different ways, in order to build up a wealth of understanding about the subject. This will enable students to develop their individual ideas with confidence, guided by the assessment objectives and directed by their own particular interests and investigations. This is central to Art GCSE.

The first term is concerned with whole class work, practical skill building, creative thinking skills, shared learning and evaluation opportunities; students are exposed to new materials, techniques and processes. By the second term students begin working independently and they select relevant areas of interest within a themed unit. They continue to develop their skills in these areas in the summer term resulting in a final practical outcome.

This forms the first half of the coursework (30%) which is assessed together with Year 11 coursework and the externally set assignment at the end of the course.