Art

Art & Design Department

The Art Department consists of the following teachers

Jill Wainwright (Head of technology and expressive arts)

Debra Roberts

Sam Groom

Barbara Shemeld

Art Rooms

We have two specialist Art and Design rooms. They cater for all areas of art, largely drawing and painting with some 3D, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture.

Outline of Art Courses

KS3

Year 7

The Y7 art experience begins with an induction course. This is contained in an “Introduction to Art” booklet designed specifically to cover all the elements of art - line, tone, form, shape, colour, texture, pattern. It provides different exercises to practice various techniques and use a variety of media. It also includes some critical studies preparation and develops artistic vocabulary. Students then follow two projects based on themes. “The sea” and “Portraits.” These themes are interpreted by the individual teachers according to their strengths and specialisms. The work is developed through observational, analytical and imaginative approaches.

Students produce a variety of work using different materials and techniques including pencil, crayon, pastels, paint, clay, collage and sculptural materials. A multicultural approach is inbuilt into the course through the introductory sessions and consequential developments. ICT is encouraged in their research and developmental work. Critical studies is an integral part of the course work and reference is made to artists and designed consistently throughout the projects with special emphasis at the introduction of the project and recapped at the beginnings of lessons.

Year 8

The Y8 art experience begins with a recap on the elements of art from the induction course and is developed to a higher level with an increased emphasis on art vocabulary and critical studies. In their first project based on Gustav Klimt students watch a video and are asked to develop their ideas based on the decorative work of Klimt. In this, they work from observation, develop ideas on pattern and use a choice of media to produce their final results. Work is developed into 3D. The second project is based on fruit and vegetables and begins with an observational and analytical approach using various drawing media. This is also developed into printmaking and 3D work using clay and other sculptural materials.

Graphic work is also developed using a design brief approach with a real set task. All these themes are developed in various ways depending on the teacher’s interests and specialisms. All the work is built on the Y7 experience and increases their awareness of critical studies, to try to increase their confidence and knowledge of art and how it relates to their own work.

Year 9

Packaging and Still life are the themes for Y9. Again, the projects are designed to build on the students experience in Y7 and Y8 but obviously using a wider variety of materials and techniques which require a greater depth of skill and initiative as the students become more confident and able. Critical studies are a major part of the introduction and research in particular looking at Pop art, Cubism and Modern art approaches. In both themes students are asked to work from direct observation, to compare and contrast similar works by researched artists and to develop their drawing, colour and imaginative skills to a higher level. Specific exercises are designed in both projects to focus on developing the elements of art to increased skills and knowledge in preparation for GCSE courses.

KS4

GCSE course

At present the department teaches two different GCSE courses - the unendorsed and fine art. All students have to work on at least three coursework projects and complete a controlled test.

Students wishing to continue with art for GCSE can follow either of the two courses above - both are two-year courses.

The projects taught change according to the interests and strengths of the individual teacher, who have to ensure that all the assessment objectives as laid down by AQA, are covered. Much emphasis is put upon individual study and research into the artists that influence the student’s choice of work. The KS4 art course encourages all students to develop their creative and imaginative powers and the practical skills for expressing their ideas. They should also develop investigative, analytical and experimental capabilities with broad knowledge of understanding art and design.