Curriculum Aims
Our aim is for all students to have the opportunity to use a vast variety of materials and learn all the techniques required for each. Students will work in all art disciplines, from drawing, painting, printing & sculpting in order to learn & develop skills which can then be taken onto a higher level.
Students will……Build in confidence, learn to appreciate that quality artwork takes time, be encouraged to use their imagination and implement their own ideas, learn how to think and work creatively, learn to draw, paint, print & work in two and three dimensions, Improve observational skills, improve motor and manipulation skills, learn how to draw from first hand resources, objects, build an appreciation for art, artists and cultures, learn how to analyse pictures and imagery, learn lots of different techniques when using a variety of media, will learn how to produce artwork that is detailed and refined, understand art visual elements; line, tone, texture, colour, pattern, design, proportion, shape, scale, composition, perspective, contrast, structure.
KS3 Curriculum Summary
Art | Autumn | Spring | Summer |
Year 7 | Underwater Composition Observational Drawing Colour Theory Mixed Media |
Clay Fish Manipulation Henna Elephant |
Jungle Painting and Press Print Artist Links Composition Watercolour Painting Printing Children’s Illustrators and Mono Print |
Assessment | Feedback Booklets showing progress with strengths and weaknesses ticked | ||
Year 8 | Dream Catcher Cultural Links Watercolour Painting Pen & Ink Feather Weaving Composition |
Chinese & Japanese Dragon/ Fish Cultural Links Watercolour Painting Pen & Ink CompositionEgyption Headdress Cultural Links Watercolour Painting Pen & Ink Composition |
Clay Dragon ManipulationMono Prints Printing |
Assessment | Feedback Booklets showing progress with strengths and weaknesses ticked | ||
Year 9 | Perspective & Op Art Art Style Artists Blending Measuring |
3D Letters Graffiti Artists Letter Shapes Graffiti Style Layour Graffiti Art Elements Motifs/ Symbols/ Gangsters |
Motivational Quote Composition Quote Letters Composition Paint Techniques |
Assessment | Feedback Booklets showing progress with strengths and weaknesses ticked |
GCSE Fine Art & Photography – 60% coursework, portfolio – 40% exam
Students will be taught key skills & techniques to improve their drawing skills & work in the following disciplines: – Drawing, shading, tone, shape & form, blending, pencil crayons, tints & shades, painting techniques, acrylics & water colour block, clay, print making, textiles & photography. Students will complete 2 Projects over 2 years.
‘Portraits, people & emotions’ -Students will focus on facial features, portraiture and work in the style of a range of artists, exploring a variety of media.
Botanical Studies -A visit to Kew gardens fuels this project in which students will learn how to sketch from 1st hand observations. Students will study a range of artists and make appropriate links and work in a variety of media.
GCSE Photography – 60% coursework, portfolio – 40% exam
Students will work on developing their understanding on how to take good pictures & how to edit images: – Back drops & lighting, composition, formal elements, photo-shop skills, layered images, manipulation, Lighting, Macro photography, drawing with photograph, distortions & artistic effects. Students will have the opportunity to visit ‘Kew Gardens’ to fuel a particular topic.
Themes – In year 10 students will be set 19 themes in which they will research relevant photographers in order to make appropriate connections for photoshoots. In year 11 they will work through one project called ‘fantastic & strange’. This theme requires an artistic approach, such as tracing, weaving, layering, collaging photographs together as well as exploring the artist effect on Photoshop.
GCSE Textile Design– 60% coursework, portfolio – 40% exam
Textile design is the creation of designs and products or decorative textiles that might have a functional or non-functional purpose. Students will work in one or more areas of textile design, such as; – fashion design and illustration, costume design, constructed textiles, printed and dyed textiles, surface pattern, stitched and/or embellished textiles, soft furnishings and/or textiles for interiors, digital textiles, installed textiles. Students can explore overlapping areas and combinations of areas on two topics.
A Level Fine Art
Students choose their own theme to explore for the 2-year course and are required to work in one or more area(s) of Fine art, such as those listed below. They may explore overlapping areas and combinations of areas: drawing and painting, mixed-media, including collage and assemblage, sculpture, ceramics, installation, printmaking and photography.
A Level Photography
Students choose their own theme to explore for the 2-year course and are required to work in one or more area(s) of Photography, such as still life photography documentary photography, photojournalism, fashion photograph, experimental imagery, multimedia, photographic installation, moving image (video, film, animation).