Art and Design continues to be a successful subject at GCSE and this is complemented by an inclusive, comprehensive program at Key Stage 3. High standards are underpinned by students’ commitment and creativity. Students develop their ideas fluently through continuous review and reflection leading to personalised outcomes in two-, three-dimensional and digital media.

Students of all abilities are catered for, and we are proud of the fact that many of our students continue to study Art and Graphic Communication at A Level and further education.

Key Stage 3

In Art, students are given a series of baseline tasks at the start of Year 7 to establish their ability standard. They then embark on a program of study covering a variety of disciplines including drawing, printmaking and ceramics. This allows all students (both those with little experience of Art at KS2, as well as more experienced artists) to make significant progress and build confidence.

In year 8, students are introduced to a wider range of artists, art movements and approaches which build on existing skills, but also gives them context in how art and society influence each other. In Year 8, pupils also have one Graphic Communication lesson each week. These give pupils the chance to learn industry-standard design software (e.g. Photoshop, Illustrator, Techsoft) to create packaging and advertising work using design briefs, as well as learning basic design theory.

By Year 9, Art students are given more independence to develop their own projects with the support of their teacher. This works well in terms of giving pupils ownership over their learning, as well as a clearer idea of how GCSE projects are structured. Graphic Communication in Year 9 involves an extended branding project where students investigate how brands target consumers, how the public are influenced by marketing, and how to develop a brand of their own.

Curriculum Overview

Year 7	Year 8	Year 9
Art - Drawing Skills	Art - Observational drawing	Art - Fine art drawing techniques
Art - Pop Art	Art - Critical studies and Cubism	Art - Critical studies and Street Art
	Art - Mixed media experimentation	Art - Book cover illustration
Art - Self Portrait	Graphics – Packaging design	Graphics - Branding
	Graphics – Movie Advertising

Key Stage 4

Following on from Year 9, Key Stage 4 students are given freedom to develop their own projects within a clear structure. All students are clear about the assessment criteria for projects and regular feedback and one to one tutorials ensure that students have clear, individual targets. We take pride in the fact that students are able to choose their own path – to this end, recent projects have included work as diverse as fused glass, sculpture, photography, video, installation, and digital media.

Year 10	Year 11
Art – Identity	Art – Natural Form
Graphics – Restaurant Branding	Graphics – Editorial Design cont.
Graphics – Editorial Design	Graphics – Student-led project

Key stage 4 students have the opportunity to follow AQA Art, Craft and Design, Fine Art, 3D Design or Graphic Communication.

The course is divided between two components:

Component 1 (Coursework Tasks 60%)

Students are required to submit a portfolio of work that comprises of at least one sustained project and a selection of further work which represents their course of study.
This includes working with other artists, visits to Art galleries and museums, skill-based workshops.
Students are expected to carefully select and create a portfolio which includes sketchbooks, design sheets, sculpture and fine art drawing and paintings, computer work and photography.
Written annotation must be evident in sketchbooks.

Component 2 (An externally set assignment – 40%)

In Year 11 AQA will distribute an exam paper at the beginning of January.
Students will be given a choice of starting points (themes).
Students have a specified amount of preparation time.
Students have 10 hours to complete an unaided final outcome/s.

Department Staff

Mr D Elwell

Lead Practitioner, Art, Design and Technology Teacher