Art
Art, craft and design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. Students are offered a high-quality art and design education. Students are engaged, inspired and challenged. We aim at equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. As pupils progress, they should be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design. They should also know how art and design both reflect and shape our history and contribute towards culture and creativity.
The art curriculum provides students with the opportunity to explore and express their creativity through a wide range of media. It gives students opportunities to explore art through drawing, painting, sculpting, the use of mixed media as well as digital art. The students’ educational experience is further enriched by offering them opportunities to explore the use of art and design within the global and local community, through collaborative work and competitions available to us as well as visits to local art galleries and arts and crafts studios.
KS3 (Years 7 to 9)
The KS3 syllabus offers students the chance to explore all the elements of art through the exploration of various themes, art movements, artists and designers. They learn about art history, exploring materials and techniques used by artists and then applying these to their own developed art ideas. We also encourage collaborative work throughout KS3.
KS4 (Years 10 and 11): IGCSE
EDEXCEL GCSE Fine Art & Design (1FAO)
A GCSE qualification in Art and Design encourages students to develop critical thinking and creative skills; through learning to use imaginative and intuitive abilities they become confident in taking risks and learning from as well as developing cultural knowledge, understanding and application of art and design in historical and contemporary contexts, societies and cultures.
What will I learn?
A GCSE qualification in Art and Design encourages students to:
•develop critical thinking through investigative, analytical, experimental, interpretive, technical and expressive skills.
•develop creative skills, through learning to use imaginative and intuitive abilities.
•become confident in taking risks and learning from their mistakes when exploring and experimenting with ideas.
•develop cultural knowledge, understanding and application of art and design in historical and contemporary contexts, societies and cultures.
•actively engage with a broad range of media, materials and techniques including traditional and new media technologies.
Curriculum Content
Fine Art may be defined as work developed primarily to communicate aesthetic, intellectual or purely conceptual ideas and meaning, rather than to serve a practical or commercial function. For example, work could be the outcome of personal experiences, thoughts and feelings, or simply to observe and record people, places and things in new and unique ways.
Fine Art work will demonstrate an understanding and application of formal elements and creative skills, including mark-making. Students will use visual communication sensitively and thoughtfully to document their artistic journey and fully support their intentions.
The Edexcel GCSE in Art and Design Fine Art comprises of two units:
Component 1 Personal Portfolio
Students create a personal portfolio of work that demonstrates the knowledge, understanding and skills. This component allows students opportunities to: develop and explore ideas, research primary and contextual sources, experiment with media, materials, techniques and processes and present personal response(s) to theme(s) set by the centre.
Component 2 Externally Set Assignment
Students must present personal response(s) to an externally set broad-based thematic starting point, set by Pearson in the ESA paper. This component allows students opportunities to: develop and explore ideas, research primary and contextual sources, experiment with media, materials, techniques and processes and present personal response(s) to the externally set theme. At the end of year 11 students produce their final outcome during a timed 10 hour examination period.
What sort of homework will I be set?
On a weekly basis for 2-3 hours per week. Homework will include completing unfinished classwork, personal research using the means of photography, as well as editing and printing photos for experimentation and development of themed projects.
Sixth Form: A level
EDEXCEL A Level Art and Design: Fine Art (9FAO)
This is a two-year linear course, both years must be completed to achieve an A level in Fine Art
Aims of the course
• investigative, analytical, experimental, practical, technical and expressive skills, aesthetic understanding and critical judgement
•independence of mind in developing, refining and communicating their own ideas, their own intentions and their own personal outcomes
• an interest in, enthusiasm for and enjoyment of art
• their experience of working with a broad range of media
• knowledge and understanding of art, in contemporary and past societies and cultures
Curriculum Content
Component 1 (skills development and experimentation)
A period of study into the elements of drawing including mark making, line, tone and colour. Pupils use this first part of the year to build up their skills and knowledge of Fine Art. Later in the year they begin to write a personal study to inform their portfolio and help them realise the intention of their art coursework.
This component allows students opportunities to generate and develop ideas, research primary and contextual sources, record practical and written observations, experiment with media and processes, and refine ideas towards producing personal resolved outcome(s). This will require students to address each of the Assessment Objectives.
Component 2 (externally set assignment)
In Year 13, students’ complete component 1 and then progress to the externally set assignment which comprises of a shorter period of investigation, experimentation and development towards a final outcome, realised during a timed 15 hour examination period.
Component 2 allows students opportunities to generate and develop ideas, research primary and contextual sources, record practical and written observations, experiment with media and processes, and refine ideas towards producing personal resolved outcome(s) in response to an externally set theme.
What are the GCSE requirements for the course?
Grade C or above in GCSE Art and Design in conjunction with the teacher’s advice.
Future Career Choices
The course can lead to a degree in a variety of areas within Art and Design and Art History, leading onto a career in: Graphic Design, Architecture, Fashion, Illustrated Design, Advertising, 3D Art, Textiles & Fashion, Animation, Film and Video Production, etc.
