“The good quality of leadership throughout the school is driving the development of teaching and learning…”

Ofsted Inspection Nov 2007

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Art & Design

The department of Art and Design is led by Mr Hyde and there are three more specialist Art teachers. All students are taught in mixed-ability classes. The Department has programmes of study which cover the National Curriculum for Art and Design in Key stage 3, the AQA GCSE Art and Design and the B/TEC First Diploma in Art and Design which if passed with merit is valued as four GCSE’s.

We believe our schemes of work offer all our pupils the opportunities to develop their creativity, imagination, practical and critical skills to a high standard using a wide range of 2-D and 3-D media.

Key Stage 3

Students receive a one-hour lesson each week throughout the year. They can expect to be drawing, designing, painting, printmaking, making collage, sculpture and ceramics. They study the work of artists and designers to inspire and inform their own work. They are also asked to use and understand codes, symbols and conventions from other cultures and religions. There are nine units of work ‘Self-image’, ‘Objects and Viewpoints’, ’Landscape’, ‘Shared View’, ‘Buildings’, ‘Animating Art’, ‘Life Events’, ‘Change your Style’ and ‘Public Places, Private Spaces’.

Students are taught how to use media, tools and techniques skillfully and safely. They are expected to work to a high standard.

All students are given sketchbooks which they must look after and take a pride in. Most of their acquired knowledge and understanding is evident in these books and they are essential for teacher assessments. Homeworks are given regularly and are often research to support the class work tasks. Students are asked to keep a sketchbook at home to record their own work. They should bring this in once every Half Term for their homework assessment.

Key Stage 4

Art and Design is optional at Key Stage 4. The Department offers GCSE Art and Design unendorsed which means students can present work in any 2-D or 3-D media. They have to present three coursework units and one exam unit of work. From September 2007 we have offered the B/TEC First Diploma Course. The first examinationin 2009 was very successful.

Beyond the classroom

The Art rooms are open for students to work most days after school and there is a Key Stage 3 Art Club on a Friday during the second break.

Also as part of their studies Key Stage 4 students have the opportunity to visit Tate Britain and the British Museum.

Parental Support

The Department does not charge for materials for the course but students will be asked to pay for a replacement sketchbook if they lose theirs. Overalls are available in all the Art rooms for studentls to wear if they are using particularly messy media. It is not compulsory to wear these and it is inevitable that some students may get the odd splash of paint on their clothes. Most of the media we use is washable. We do ask for your understanding in this.

(We do use acrylic paint in Key Stage 4 which is not washable when dry but can usually be removed with a spirit based thinner!).