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Art & Design Overview

Art & Design Overview

Head of Subject: Miss J. Lord

Our creative studies offer, which is core to our ethos, includes Art, Textiles and Photography. These subjects offer invaluable opportunities to develop the skills of self-expression through the creation of artefacts. Not only of great worth in their own right, these skills transfer well to other facets of human life. Students learn organisational and planning skills and most importantly, confidence in their own decision making and capacity to develop and present their own ideas and concepts.

In addition to these creative subjects, the faculty also includes the Enterprise subjects Business Studies, Creative iMedia, Computer Science and Mathematics. These subjects allow the student to investigate the world of Business, including examining the methodology of setting up a new business including budgeting and financial statements, whereas Creative iMedia shows students that digital design and learning play an important role in all aspects of business and industry and develops links with Art in website and graphic design as well as photo manipulation. Computer Science teaches the skills of writing computer programs using coding and how to problem solve computer coding issues and Mathematics permeates and underpins all aspects of the above subjects as well as introducing the beauty and logic of the subject itself.

The Faculty offers GCSEs in Art, Art Textiles, Business Studies, Computer Science and Mathematics with Creative iMedia offered as a Cambridge National Level 1 or 2. There is also the opportunity to study the Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics for those students in Set 1 for GCSE Mathematics. The Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics not only further develops the understanding of the GCSE curriculum but is also a good preparation for those considering taking A Level Mathematics. At Advanced Level the comprehensive offer incudes Advanced Level Fine Art, Computer Science, Business Studies, Mathematics, Photography and Textile Design. In addition, we offer Creative iMedia at Cambridge National Level 3 and an AS in Further Mathematics.

Art & Design Year 7, 8 & 9 Module Overview

Year 7 Art & Design overview
In Year 7 students are offered experiences in a wide range of materials and techniques, including drawing and painting, mixed media, collage, digital media and graphic design. The Key Stage 3 curriculum is specially designed to give our students a rich art experience and prepare them for the rigors of our GCSE courses.
In Year 7 Students work on individual assignments based on ‘The Natural World and Environment’ that develop and build into one extended project.
Projects all begin with Observational DRAWINGS, alongside the RESEARCHING of work by artists and designers, learning to analyse work and use this to inform their ideas (UNDERSTANDING). They then learn and EXPERIMENT with a range of techniques and media and use this to develop creative DESIGN IDEAS (PREPARATION). All projects culminate in a FINAL OUTCOME (PRODUCT).
Year 8 Art & Design overview
In Year 8 students are offered experiences in a wide range of materials and techniques, including drawing and painting, mixed media, collage, textiles and graphic design. The Key Stage 3 curriculum is specially designed to give our students a rich art experience and prepare them for the rigors of our GCSE courses.
In Year 8 Students work on individual assignments based on ‘Identity and Self’ that develop and build into one extended project.
Projects all begin with Observational DRAWINGS, alongside the RESEARCHING of work by artists and designers, learning to analyse work and use this to inform their ideas (UNDERSTANDING). They then learn and EXPERIMENT with a range of techniques and media and use this to develop creative DESIGN IDEAS (PREPARATION). All project culminate in a FINAL OUTCOME (PRODUCT).
Year 9 Art & Design overview
Year 9 is a foundation year preparing students for their GCSE course in Fine Art. Between September and February students experience a mini GCSE project from personalised starting points.
In February, when Students have confirmed their options, they begin their GCSE in Fine Art starting with a module focusing on the building blocks of Art – ‘Formal Elements’

Art & Design Year 10 & 11 Module Overview

Year 10 Art & Design overview
At Key Stage 4 the department offers students the opportunity to study for a GCSE in ‘Fine Art’.
Key Stage 4 will begin after students have chosen their options in Feb of year 9. Over the 2 ½ year course, learners produce one extended coursework project that will make up 60% of their overall grade and in the January of Year 11 learners begin a 10-week exam project, culminating in a 10-hour exam. This exam project makes up 40% of their overall grade.
Year 11 Art & Design overview
During the Autumn term of year 11 learners conclude their extended personal projects. They focus on consolidating portfolios and designing meaningful and emotive final outcomes. This project makes up 60% of their overall grade.
In the January of Year 11 learners begin an Externally Set Assignment. This is a project set by the exam board that culminates in a 10-hour exam. This exam project makes up 40% of their overall grade.

Art & Design Year 12 & 13 Module Overview

Year 12 Art & Design overview
During our A Level Fine Art course students will develop independent thematic projects based around a variety of starting points such as Sanctuary, Environments, The Self, Abstract and Conceptual Art and Still Life. Students develop themes that interest them and allow for sustained focus.
At A Level Students begin with a series of workshops in order to develop knowledge, understanding, skill, accuracy and creativity. Students then develop independent portfolios of work working through the creative process from Records of Observation (DRAWINGS, PHOTOGRAPHS), ARTIST RESEARCH, EXPERIMENTATION, IDEA DEVELOPMENT and DESIGNING to the creation of a FINAL OUTCOME.
Year 13 Art & Design overview
During the Autumn term of year 13 learners conclude their extended personal investigations and related studies. They focus on consolidating portfolios and designing meaningful and emotive final outcomes. This project makes up 60% of their overall grade.
In the February of Year 13 learners begin an Externally Set Task. This is a project set by the exam board that culminates in a 15-hour exam. This exam project makes up 40% of their overall grade.