Art

Subject Overview

The art department is an exciting and dynamic environment with creative endeavours which are constantly evolving. We thrive on exploring creativity through risk taking, allowing our students to take ownership of their outcomes. We are here to invest in our young people and support them through the exciting challenges art can offer. The students express themselves through a variety of media: drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture/3D and digital photography.

Our Aim

The aim of the art department is to engage and encourage our students to observe the visual world. We develop critical analysis through artists, designers and craftsmen and through the rich diverse culture of the college community. Students engage with the extensive historic collections and contemporary visiting artists to develop an appreciation for a wide variety of artistic expression.

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Curriculum

Key Stage 3 (year 9)

KS3 learners are offered an inspirational balanced curriculum encompassing a wide range of creative learning experiences. Students will work on thematic projects that are founded on the formal elements of art and design. They will begin to gain understanding of analysis and interpretation of art in a variety of social and cultural settings. Throughout these formative years students are taught to develop their creativity and ideas, increasing proficiency in the execution of their work, developing technical skills and further honing the abilities of those who l choose to take the subject forward to GCSE.

Students are taught to use a range of art techniques to record their observations in sketchbooks using a range of media including painting, print and photography. This helps to increase their skill in the handling of different materials and to analyse and evaluate their own work and that of others in turn strengthening the visual impact of their work.

GCSE (years 10 & 11)

Art students explore a diverse subject that is directly relevant to them and to the ever-evolving creative environment in which we all live. We actively promote creativity and personal investigation through the exploration of processes and techniques. This broadens each student’s skill base through a supported and inspirational environment.

Drawing is fundamental to all aspects of art but can encompass many components and methods within the course such as: drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media, ceramics and photography. The breadth of our course enables students to develop conceptual and representative themes such as the figure, still life, landscape and location as well as issue based and religious work.

View the AQA Art, Craft and Design specification

A Level (sixth form)

Whether choosing to study A Level Fine Art, Art Craft and Design, Photography, or Visual arts at IB we actively promote creativity and personal investigation through the exploration of processes and techniques. This broadens each student’s skill base through a supported and inspirational environment.

Our courses allow creative ability to flourish whilst following a personal journey through a range of practices encompassing many components and methods such as: drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media, fibre arts and photography. The breadth of our course enables students to develop conceptual and representative themes such as the figure, still life, landscape and location as well as issues based on religious work. We pride ourselves on offering a personalised learning experience to higher line art students to ensure we work to the strengths and passions of the individual.

All students will experience a series of workshops in techniques of printmaking, construction, colour and the application of paint that will help to extend their skills and enrich their creativity. Students are encouraged to take ownership of individual creative ideas but are supported and guided through development and outcomes.

The A Level follows the AQA Art, Craft and Design, Fine Art and Photography curriculum.

Assessment is as follows:

Year 1 - Component 1

Portfolio 60% of AS (96 marks)
The emphasis of this component is on the development of understanding and skills, using an appropriate range of materials, processes and techniques.

Year 1 - Component 2

Externally Set Assignment 40% of AS (96 marks)
Following a preparatory period, students must complete 10 hours of unaided, supervised time.

Year 2 - Component 3

Personal Investigation 60% of A Level (96 marks)
Students are to conduct a practical investigation, into an issue, concept or theme, supported by written material.

Year 2 - Component 4

Externally Set Assignment 40% of A Level (96 marks)
Following a preparatory period, students must complete 15 hours of unaided, supervised time.

Students go on to careers in; Architecture, Graphic Design, Illustration, Game design, Fine art, Interior Design, Fashion, Animation, Print making, Teaching, Art therapist, Curator, Web design, Product design

Sixth Form Art Leaflet

Sixth Form Art Leaflet

Sixth Form Photography Leaflet

Sixth Form Photography Leaflet

IB Diploma (sixth form)

Whether choosing to study A Level Fine Art, Art Craft and Design, Photography, or Visual arts at IB and IBCP level we actively promote creativity and personal investigation through the exploration of processes and techniques. This broadens each student’s skill base through a supported and inspirational environment.

Visual Arts with a focus on art is offered at both Standard Level and Higher Level as part of the IB Diploma.

More information about the IB Visual Arts option can be found here.

The core teaching is the same at both levels but Higher Level gives greater depth to experimentation and realisation of intent.

Assessment is via three tasks:

Task 1: Comparative study External assessment: 20%

Task 2: Process Portfolio External assessment: 40%

Task 3: Exhibition Internal assessment: 40%

Our IB Diploma Programme is designed to produce highly-educated all-rounders who embrace social responsibility, intercultural awareness, and a duty to local and global communities to make an increasingly complex world a better place.

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Art

Subject Overview

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