Art

Overview

Art aims for students to have a broad awareness of different artistic genres, processes, techniques and materials, building skills at each Key Stage to develop visual, verbal and written communication accordingly. We provide an inclusive environment that encourages experimentation and exploration allowing students to learn from their mistakes and reflect on their practice. Students investigate a broad range of artistic genres from Art History to encourage a deeper awareness of artistic styles and respond to the world around them.  All students study Art in KS3.  Fine Art is available as an option subject at GCSE and A Level.

Year 7

Students begin with Basic Skills to build on their knowledge of the Formal Elements. The study of Colour and Pop Art in Term 2 focuses on meaning and symbolism in popular packaging and the research of Pop Artists such as Richard Hamilton, Andy Warhol and Peter Blake.  Later in the year, students work on a Nature project that includes the study of botanical illustration. An investigation of pattern, colour and line in the work of artist Georgia O'Keeffe enables students to work independently on their own botanical inspired outcome at the end of the year.

Year 8

Students recap on the Formal Elements learnt in Year 7 through the study of Perspective, exploring both line and colour.  A focus on Portraiture through artists such as Rembrandt van Rijn and Kathe Kollwitz develops knowledge of chiaroscuro and expressionism.  The work of the Cubists and their African origins explores shape, pattern and form in portraiture.  Later in the year students focus on Still Life and use the  Rule of Thirds to establish focal points in photography and painting.  This is developed further through written and practical research on the artist Paul Cezanne and a final, Post-Impressionistic outcome at the end of the year.

Year 9

Students produce work on two major projects that prepare them for the Edexcel GCSE Fine Art specification in Year 10. The study of Abstract Art enables exploration of materials, techniques and processes relating to the work of Henri Matisse, Bridget Riley, Wassily Kandinsky and Beatriz Milhazes.   Students research each artist in depth and analyse their work to produce a final large scale creative outcome.  The study of Cultures later in Year 9 provides the opportunity for students to research an area of social, moral, cultural or emotional meaning personal to themselves.

Years 10 and 11

Students follow the Edexcel GCSE Fine Art specification (1FA0), full details for which are available here. The course focuses on supporting creativity, expression and building independence through the development of ideas and technical skills.  Fine Art GCSE is 60% course work and 40% external exam, both of which are assessed in the same way and include a ten-hour external assessment in which students produce a final outcome.

Years 12 and 13

Students follow the Edexcel Fine Art (9FA0) specification, full details for which are available here. The course is structured in a similar way to the GCSE: 60% is coursework and 40% is an externally set exam which includes a 15-hour period of sustained focus to produce a final outcome. Students develop their independent research and present a 3000 word Personal Project showing analysis and investigation on an individual area of study and accompanying practical work.  Technical lessons and portfolio design aim to prepare students for further study of Fine Art or an art related subject in Further or Higher Education.