The Art department offers all students a course in Fine Art at GCSE and Art and Design at KS3.

Intent

We intend to stimulate pupil curiosity, interest and enjoyment in Art. We introduce a body of artistic knowledge, skills, Art principles and key vocabulary.  Our pupils become competent and confident in, producing images and ‘works of art’ as well as responding to works produced by others.  We employ teaching methods and resources that allow all to have equal access to Art and to experience success and enjoyment in their work.

Pupils become aware of the implications of Art both past and present as well as implications for the individual and the local, national and international communities.  Pupils learn the significance of Art and to value it as an important, pleasurable and fundamental realm of human experience.  Our pupils share our fundamental British values and develop a range of desirable personal qualities such as respect for other cultures and beliefs, safety awareness, politeness, perseverance, concern for others, initiative and independence.

During lessons we allow opportunities at various times for group discussion. At these times we listen to each other’s views and learn from them.  We operate a reward system with a Merit awarded for excellent homework and classwork attainment as well as a Star of the lesson award.  Our pupils are therefore encouraged to work to their full potential and experience a sense of achievement.

Art pupils are encouraged to share their experiences and cultures in order to enhance the quality of learning. They will study a variety of major works and artists, learning about the history of Art, and their significance. We set regular homework activities that has a direct relationship to the course work and a clear purpose. Safety is always a major concern, particularly when working in the ceramic areas. We plan opportunities for pupils to develop safety awareness when performing all practical activities.

Transferable skills

Art can contribute to the development of many basic skills that are reinforced across the School Curriculum by all subject areas, e.g., artistic appraisal requires pupils to analyse, compare, evaluate, communicate, refine, improve, etc. Discussion and critical questioning develop the full range of investigation skills, particularly spoken, written and visual communication. 

Assessments

Assessments focus on what can be observed, in general and as appropriate, they focus on:

  • Show evidence or knowledge of: –
  • Exam prep requirement through detailed note taking.
  • Assessment criteria through detailed note taking.
  • Creating effective title pages.
  • Creating effective mood pages that show critical and reflective thinking with an enquiring mind.
  • Acknowledging image sources and other roots of inspiration.
  • Creative sketchbook rendering.
  • Significant research of artists from a range of historical and contemporary contexts, societies and cultures and in an acquired knowledge about how fine art is applied in the creative and cultural industries.
  • Evidently good drawing skill.
  • Evidently good painting or skill in another discipline.
  • Composition developed with skillful use of the formal elements visually and contextually annotated.
  • Mixed media explorations show risk taking as well as creative, imaginative and intuitive capabilities when following a style, when employing a technique or using a range medium upon a variety of surfaces.
  • A final draft that is visually effective.
  • Evidence of reviewing and refining work as it progressed this evidence should show that all stages towards the final draft are purposeful and intentional.
  • Evaluation has summarised the key learning at every stage and shows an awareness of the purpose, intentions and functions of fine art in own work as well as in a variety of other possible context.

Accordingly, to facilitate assessment, pupils are required to maintain an online version of the physical portfolio and a sketchbook, their own work and designs, planning and evidence of project/assignment/investigative work, their written evaluations of those designs and works of art, and their own critical appraisals.  This applies to work that has been completed either in School or at home.