Curriculum

ART

Each year of KS3 covers the skills needed to be successful, creative visual artist across different projects completed in each term. Throughout the three years, there will be a consistency of tonal, mark-making & observational drawing, different painting techniques, elements of printmaking, and a 3D soft project.

Pupils will learn to critically analyse and discuss the work of others and present research and outcomes in creative ways.

Our vision for Art

Art, craft and design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity.   A high-quality art education will engage, inspire and challenge every pupil with inclusivity and originality.  It equips pupils with the knowledge, skills and experience to recreate, experiment and invent their own interpretation of visual literacy.  As pupils actively engage in contextually based scenarios, they begin to develop a rigorous comprehension of art across time, culture and movements.  Their sensory engagement with a broad range of materials, techniques and processes will allow pupils to explore and develop a curiosity for the arts.  Through an iterative design process, they can organise their ideas and realise their intentions through the creation of personal and meaningful works of art.  Students can broaden their knowledge by critically reflecting on their own work as well as that of others.  They know how art reflects and shapes our history and how this contributes to the creativity and wealth of our nation and beyond.

The study of art:

  • Allows pupils an opportunity to fully immerse themselves in sensory activities which creatively explore materials, techniques and processes.
  • Enables pupils to become proficient in areas such as drawing, painting, sculpture, printing, digital art and mixed media
  • Encourages in-depth investigations into cultural, historical and contextual scenarios which help pupils to develop a personal perspective and appreciation of the world in which they live
  • Uses higher level analysis to critically evaluate and find meaning across a range of visual art movements
  • Supports the development of essential life skills such as the application of knowledge, problem solving, communication and time management. Through self-reflection pupils also build their resilience and independence.
  • Improves the prospects of progressing into careers such as architecture, product design and engineering.

The whole-school curriculum operates at three levels and addresses pupils’ academic, personal and social development. The three individual elements of learning provide a different component to the education of every pupil. Intellectual, personal and social maturity will be the goal of these structured layers of learning at the school.  There are three guiding elements which are brought to life in the art and design curriculum:

Educational Excellence:  Alongside other subjects, art and design enriches the curriculum by providing a broader range of knowledge and skills.  Pupils have the freedom to explore and express themselves through the creation of personal and meaningful works of art.  Creative Art specialists enhance the learning journey by imparting their passion, knowledge and experience within every lesson. 

Character Development: There are several opportunities for students to develop character and leadership within arts and culture.  Many classroom activities promote the growth of emotional intelligence whilst extra-curricular activities encourage pupils to discover their own interests and specialisms with art and design.  Professional workshops, visits to galleries and entries into local and national competitions are just some of the opportunities that are offered to pupils.

Service to Communities:  Art, craft and design encourages pupils to consider the needs of others and to be curious about the world around them.  Pupils are made aware of local community initiatives which provide volunteering opportunities that link to the arts and culture.  Pupils are encouraged to identify their own way of serving the local community though visual arts.

Key Stage 3 Intent

The following principles underpin the teaching of Art:

  • Us contextual references to explore art from a particular time, culture, artist or movement.
  • Become proficient in a wide range of materials, techniques and processes
  • Articulate their personal thoughts and feelings through the creation of original works of art
  • Follow an iterative process and visually record ideas and observations using a range of methods including sketchbooks, design sheets and journals.
  • Critically analyse their own work and that of others using appropriate artistic terminology

 

In Year 7,  students  learn the formal elements of art and how they are combined to create visual impact, the principles of art including rhythm, balance and proportion, about modern and historical artists, to analyse the meaning of art and articulate this using artistic terminology, how to compare and contrast art from different movements, how to create 2D and 3D art forms using paint, ink, pencil, markers, crayon, chalk and digital methods, how to apply elements of art to recreate the work of other artists, to refine their application of mediums through reflection and practice, to develop techniques such as mark making, grid drawing, illustration and observational drawing, how to plan and organise their ideas and manage their time. In Year 8, students explore 2D art forms including land, sea and cityscapes, printing and portraiture, develop skills within observational drawing and refine tonal drawing techniques, select and apply materials to create mixed media works of art and sculptures, learn construction techniques to create 3D works of art using adhesives, paper and card, safely use the tools and equipment used for block and screen printing, find and capture inspiration from the world around us, compare and contrast the work of traditional and contemporary artists, recreate the work of artists using similar materials and techniques, incorporate personal and meaningful ideas into works of art. In Year 9, students will learn to independently explore printing techniques, observational drawing and mark making, develop and explore their own ideas in relation to a given theme, compare and contrast appropriate mediums and materials to realise intentions, apply mediums including ink, pencil, paint, pastel, charcoal, textiles and digital, explore the political, historical and economical influences on famous works of art,  invent original works of art using imagination and creativity, develop resilience and problem solving skills through an iterative design process, present work on canvases, design sheets, textiles and through photographs, work as part of a team.

 

Key Stage 3 Implementation

LEARNING JOURNEYS

Key Stage 3 Impact

The creative outcomes produced through composite tasks encompass all the knowledge components that have been explicitly taught.  Composite tasks identify knowledge components that are not secure. These are re-taught before moving on to avoid future gaps from emerging.

Enrichment Offer

During our lunch time enrichments held currently, there are clubs across KS3/4 offering calligraphy to our students. This is designed to enhance the engagement and interests within our Art studies as well as representing the ethos of the school. Termly competitions are held with well-earned rewards.

Useful Resources and Revision Support