Art
Art Vision
Become creative, critical, independent, visual thinkers
Curriculum Intent
Our visual arts curriculum is designed to inspire students on a lifelong journey of enjoying, exploring and creating, to become actively engaged in the world around them.
Through the creative process, we strive to support our students to…
- gain the artistic knowledge and skills required to make their mark on their visual landscape through the production of artworks in an exciting range of processes and disciplines.
- discover how humanity has expressed emotions, relationships and stories throughout history and places, and to appreciate different viewpoints and ideas.
- understand the multitudes of ways we make art and who we make art for.
- embrace their natural curiosity, and imagine, empathise, question and express themselves.
- build confidence and self-esteem by encouraging them to embrace difficulty and to know that failure is part of the learning process.
- become creative, critical, independent, visual thinkers to develop unique ways of knowing, doing, and belonging in both a local and global community.
Art & Design Learning Journey
Click the image below to download the PDF of the learning journey, years 7 to 13.
Key Stage 3 – Art, Craft and Design
Key Stage 3
The key stage 3 art, craft and design curriculum is broad ranging and introduces student artists to a range of 2D, 3D and digital disciplines including drawing, painting, ceramics, textiles, sculpture and photography. Through the creative process, they develop their confidence in producing personal artworks and artefacts in response to external and internal stimuli using a wide variety of materials, techniques and processes They research the contexts and styles of a diverse range of local and global artists, designers, architects and craftspeople, exploring both traditional and contemporary artworks and artefacts and develop their understanding of why we make art and who we make art for.
For details on individual projects, key learning and ‘the need to knows’, please refer to the details in the long-term plans and unit overviews below.
GCSE Fine Art
Key stage 4 – GCSE Fine Art
The GCSE fine art course aims to support student artists to develop their own visual style, continuing to build their confidence in communicating and expressing personal ideas through their artwork, a journey started at key stage 3. In year 10, they begin Component 1 Personal Portfolio (worth 60% of the final GCSE), which consists of two projects. Tasks are initially set by their art teachers and are then self-directed personalised. They continue to work with an extensive range of 2D, 3D and digital disciplines with ever increasing experience and complexity. Following the creative process, they will learn to develop ideas, record and experiment, review and refine ideas with the aim of producing personal and meaningful final pieces.
From January in year 11, student artists embark on Component 2 Externally Set Assignment (worth 40% of the final GCSE), which represents the culmination of the GCSE course and continue their journey in becoming creative, critical, independent, visual thinkers. The exam project consists of one broad-based thematic starting point for which they follow the creative process and develop preparation work culminating in the production of a personal and meaningful final piece in a ten-hour period of sustained focus under exam conditions.
For details on individual projects, key learning and ‘the need to knows’, please refer to the details in the long-term plans and unit overviews below.
Key Stage 5 – A Level Fine Art
The Key Stage 5 Fine Art curriculum builds on the learning from the GCSE Fine Art course. Students begin to learn, behave and act as if they are working in a professional creative studio. The course encourages students to develop:
- intellectual, imaginative, creative and intuitive minds
- investigative, analytical, experimental, practical, technical and expressive skills, aesthetic understanding and critical judgement
- independence of mind in relation to developing their own ideas, refining their own intentions and personal outcomes
- an interest in, enthusiasm for, and enjoyment of art
- experience of working with a broad range of media, including traditional and new media technologies
- an understanding of the interrelationships between a diverse range processes and an awareness of the contexts in which they operate
- experience of working within relevant and real frameworks and, where appropriate, make links to the creative industries
- knowledge, understanding and application of art, media and technologies in contemporary and past societies and cultures
- an awareness of different roles, functions and audiences and consumers of art practice
- habits of mind including self-confidence, presentation, collaboration, resilience, independence, and discipline
For details on individual projects, key learning and assessment, please click on the documents below.
Key Stage 5 – A Level Photography
The Key Stage 5 Photography curriculum builds on the learning from the GCSE Fine Art course. Students begin to learn, behave and act as if they are working in a professional creative studio. The course encourages students to develop:
- intellectual, imaginative, creative and intuitive minds
- investigative, analytical, experimental, practical, technical and expressive skills, aesthetic understanding and critical judgement
- independence of mind in relation to developing their own ideas, refining their own intentions and personal outcomes
- an interest in, enthusiasm for, and enjoyment of photography
- experience of working with a broad range of photographic media, including traditional and new media technologies
- an understanding of the interrelationships between a diverse range processes and an awareness of the contexts in which they operate
- experience of working within relevant and real frameworks and, where appropriate, make links to the creative industries
- knowledge, understanding and application of art/photography, media and technologies in contemporary and past societies and cultures
- an awareness of different roles, functions and audiences and consumers of photographic practice
- habits of mind including self-confidence, presentation, collaboration, resilience, independence, and discipline
For details on individual projects, key learning and assessment, please click on the documents below.
