For an overview of the pathways through the curriculum, please see our information page here.
Welcome to the
Art Department
Our Vision
In art, craft, design and technology pupils explore visual, tactile and other sensory experiences to communicate ideas and meanings. They work with traditional and new media, developing confidence, competence, imagination and creativity.
They learn to appreciate and value images and artifacts across times and cultures, and to understand the contexts in which they were made. In art and design pupils reflect critically on their own and other people's work, judging quality, value and meaning. They learn to think and act as artists, craftspeople and designers, working creatively and intelligently. They develop an appreciation of art and design, and its role in the creative and cultural industries that enrich their lives.
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Information
Curriculum
Click here to learn about how the Curriculum is planned, delivered and assessed in Design.
Exam Board
For GCSE Art, we use AQA as the exam board. Links to the exam board's specifications can be found below:
Assessment
KS3
KS3 are assessed on skills that are developed throughout the Design rotations and are based on 3 criteria;
- Researching and Developing
- Making
- Evaluating and Adapting
In each rotation students will be provided with the ‘Key point indicators’ that they must reach to be ‘On’ or ‘Above’ target.
KS4
At GCSE students will be assessed on the grade criteria from the exam board.
Controlled Assessment – 60%
During the course at KS4 students will learn techniques and processes based on a theme and/or artists. They will have guided starting points but independent work and research is encouraged for students to develop a personal style and response.
Exam – 40%
The exam at the end of the course is a practical exam that consists of approximately 20 hours of preparatory time and 10 hours (over two days) in the art room to produce the final outcome.
AO1
Develop 25% |
Develop
Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources. |
AO2
Refine 25% |
Refine
Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes. |
AO3
Record 25% |
Record
Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses. |
AO4
Present 25% |
Present
Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language. |
Quality Teaching and Learning Entitlement
All students have the right to express and explore their creativity and are entitled to:
- A positive, safe, learning environment that encourages the development of Design skills and the sharing of work within a culture of mutual respect and shared responsibility.
- Be actively engaged in their own learning whilst being challenged and motivated to take responsibility for their own development and take risks.
- Experience well planned lessons which challenge them, provide clear assessment and regular Design opportunities whilst reflecting upon their own learning and development.
- A personalised and independent creative journey in which they are able to learn from their mistakes and challenge ideas.
- To experience a range of materials, techniques and Design practises to create ‘real’ outcomes.
Design enables pupils to:
- Explore and develop confidence and self-esteem.
- Investigate ideas and record from reality.
- Develop higher thinking skills.
- Critique evaluate and adapt.
- Learn from the work of others to be able to explore and develop own ideas.
- Communicate through many different forms.
- Encourage creativity through tangible outcomes.
- Link into the world and community.
- Take responsibility for their own work, be able to take risks and be able to fail in a safe environment.
- Be involved in a creative process.
- Have a spectrum of experiences across all Design fields.
- To be able to develop literacy and numeracy within Design lessons in a practical environment.
- To experience a range of materials, techniques and Design practises to create ‘real’ outcomes.