Our aims are:

• To enable students to develop a visual awareness

• To express themselves in a variety of media and

• To nurture the philosophy that every individual possesses important abilities and skills worthy of development within this subject.

 

---

Areas of Study

Through doing and making students should be able to ‘see’ more perceptively and enjoy the visual aspects of the world in which we live.

To achieve these ends, students will explore colour, shape, line, tone, texture, pattern and form.

They will use a broad range of media and techniques and a substantial amount of work will be done in sketchbooks. Homework will be regularly set and sketchbooks regularly used for gathering information, experimenting, documenting work and research.

Schemes of work explore the formal elements, still-life, Cubism and Post-Impressionism, and involve the use of ICT, print making, ceramics, sculpture, painting and drawing. Students also have the opportunity to explore other media, and are encouraged to be expressive and imaginative in their approach to the subject. Extracurricular clubs have included painting, weaving, Christmas card making and knitting.

 

---

Art Materials

In addition to the general items of stationery recommended for students, they will need a sketchbook (which they will be given by the school) and a range of art materials including 4B, 2B, and HB pencils, a set of coloured pencils or water-based paints and glue. These will be necessary for completing homework and should be purchased from any stationery shop in preparation for September.

For more detailed information about what is studied each term in Years 7 to 9, please see the Art Curriculum Overview at the bottom of this page.

What will students learn?

The course teaches students about the process of making art and design. It also teaches the language of art and design, enabling students to become more thoughtful and discerning consumers of art, design, fashion, architecture etc. Within the coursework, students will learn at least three of the following skills:

• 3D sculpture, ceramics
• 2D drawing, painting (watercolour, acrylic and oil painting), print-making, mixed media, textiles, digital photography
• Critical studies, exploring the work of other artists and craftspeople

 

---

How will students be taught?

Students are taught in small mixed ability groups. Teaching will involve mainly practical work but there is a requirement for a small written element to the course. Work will initially be teacher led but as the course progresses, students will be encouraged to develop their own ideas and think independently. Students will be taught in one of the specialist art studios and will have access to digital cameras, scanners, and A3 printers, as well as more traditional materials. They will also visit both local and national galleries to engage with artworks first hand.

 

---

How will students be assessed?

Coursework	60%
Exam	40%

 

All work done throughout the course is coursework. Towards the end of the course, students have an eight-week preparatory period which leads to a 10-hour exam over two days.

 

---

Examination board & course type

Edexcel – GCSE Art & Design (Art, Craft & Design 1AD0)
 

---

What can studying this subject lead to?

The course provides a platform for progression into:

• A level → Foundation Course → University
• College: 2-year Foundation Course
• Careers: graphic design, advertising, architecture, illustration, set design, ceramics, product design, games design, website design, photography, sculpture, painting, interior design, animation, film and media, teaching, lecturing, landscape design, hairdressing, fashion design, make-up design, textiles…