Art

Head of Faculty

Mr Stuart Higham

Subject Leader

Mrs Joanne Debnam

Vision

We aim to ignite a lifelong passion for art. Art, in all its varied forms, allows students to develop their voice driven by their own enthusiasm to make and create. Within art we want our students to develop a sense of excitement and engagement, to see beyond what they think is a fixed idea and see things from another point of view. We hope students will appreciate the visual word they live in and understand that creativity is a transferable tool.

Drawing is a vital element to all creative processes and is embedded in every scheme of work. It is important students are equipped with a thorough understanding of visual language and understand the many purposes drawings have to offer.

Disciplinary Concepts

Understanding the application of formal elements

Observational recording

Exploration and experimentation

Problem solving

Critical analysis and reflection

How artists and designers reflect and shape our culture

Development of an idea

Resolved outcome

Evaluation

Big Questions

What is art?

How is art relevant in today’s society?

How can other artists influence and inspire our artwork?

Why is creativity so important?

How is art used as a means of expression?

How do we determine what is right and wrong in art?

Curriculum Content

Year 7

Formal elements (observational drawing, understanding the building blocks of art)

Surrealism (creativity, imagination, exploring media and development of ideas, main artist influences Rene Magritte and Salvador Dali)

Eastern vs Western landscapes (understanding the differences between Eastern and Western landscapes and how artists create artwork. Exploring media such as ink and traditional Chinese brushes to create landscapes then progressing onto to look at impressionism through paint and mark making)

Year 8

Paul Klee and colour (observational drawing, colour theory, artist influence Paul Klee, development towards an idea and personal outcome.)

Portraiture – people of colour (developing observational drawing skills, looking as accuracy and proportions of the face. An understanding of how artists impacts our work, being able to comment on the work of Chis Ofili and Derrick Adams. The cultural meaning and identity behind their work and the impact on society.

Natural forms (observational drawing, exploring media, developing confidence using paint, artist influences, development towards an idea and personal outcome.)

Year 9

Pop art and narrative (Understanding how art movements fit into society and how we can make it relevant today. Main artist influences Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, Richard Hamilton and Keith Haring)

Identity Sculpture (Applying the formal elements of art to a 3D sculpture, understanding the importance of planning and developing an idea towards own creative outcome. Main artist influences: Claus Oldenburg)

Year 9 EDEXCEL GCSE

Portraiture (observational drawing, media experiments, gallery visit, artist influences, critical analysis of an artist and their work, development and personal outcome)

Natural forms (observational drawing, media experiments, artist influences, critical analysis of an artist and their work, development and personal outcome)

Year 10 EDEXCEL GCSE

Natural forms (observational drawing, media experiments, artist influences, mock exam, development and personal outcome)

Identity (observational drawing, deeper underpinning of self-reflection, media experiments, artist influences, development and personal outcome)

Year 11 EDEXCEL GCSE

12 week project proposal: Extension of an existing project (independent learning developed)

Edexcel exam unit launched January – Gallery visit

Year 12 EDEXCEL A-LEVEL

6 - 8 week workshops building skills and techniques: drawing, photography, printing, painting, sculpture

May - own independent coursework theme chosen.

Year 13 EDEXCEL A-LEVEL

Personal coursework theme

Edexcel exam unit launched February