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Home / Academic / Art & Design

Art & Design

The department of Art and Design is led by Mr Hyde and there are three more specialist Art teachers.  All pupils are taught in mixed-ability classes.  The Department has programmes of study which cover the National Curriculum for Art and Design in Keystage 3, the AQA GCSE Art and Design and from September 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

 

Pupils 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 will study the work of artists and designers to inspire and inform their own work.  They will also be 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’.

 

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

 

All pupils 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.

 

Key Stage 4

 

Art and Design is optional at Key Stage 4.  The Department offers GCSE Art and Design.  Unendorsed which means pupils 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 begun the B/TEC First Diploma Course for first examinations in 2009.

 

Beyond the classroom

 

The Art rooms are open for pupils 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 pupils have the opportunity to visit Tate Britain and the British Museum.

 

Parental Support

 

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