Art

Art is part of the Expressive Arts Faculty

• Ms C Curling - Head of Expressive Arts
• Ms  C Peres da Costa - Head of Art (Ceramics Specialist)
• Mr D McGinnes - Teacher of Art
• Mr N Tulsidas - Teacher in Charge of Photography (see separate sub page for course information)
• Mrs J Bwye - Art Technician

Click here to view the Art Learning Journey

Please click below for detailed Programmes of Study for each year group:

The Art Curriculum follows the schools aims of learning, loving and living. We aim to create the very best artists, craftspeople and photographers. We challenge students to think, act and speak like those working in the field would.

As a church school we feel that a creative God should be at the centre of our thinking, remembering that we are made in his image and therefore all have a level of creativity within us. It is with this in mind that we hope our students will be able to develop their full creative potential through our department.

How do students achieve this?

During Key Stage 3 students are given the opportunity to work with a wide range of media such as drawing, painting, ceramics, mixed media, printmaking and photoshop. The History of Art is also a key part of students’ learning experience and students are taught about artists from Art Movements such as Pop Art and Surrealism as well as contemporary Fine Art, Design and Crafts practice. We run reward trips to galleries in Y7 and in Y8. In Y9 students take part in the Forth Plinth Schools Competition.

Year 7 Students are given the themes of ‘Environment and Culture’ and produce a range of 2D and 3D work related to this. Skills learned range from colour theory, drawing, mark making and imaginative painting in the first two terms to 3D card construction and ceramics in the third term.

In the Summer Term students take part in a cross curricular theme of ‘The Lion King project’ with RE, PE and Music. The student’s produce a 3D animal mask, which they display and wear in the summer term at the Multicultural Arts Fayre and Expressive Arts Lion King event.

Year 8 Students are given the themes of ‘Architecture and Pop Art’. Building on the techniques learned in Year 7, students develop their observational drawing, painting, 3D construction and photoshop skills within the different projects set. Students learn about Architects such as Libeskind and Gaudi and Pop Artists such as Paolozzi and Thiebaud.

Year 9 - GCSE Art and Design

Students who have opted to study Art are given the theme of “Fantastic and Strange”. They will learn about the Surrealism Art Movement and contemporary make up art. Students will have the opportunity to work with a wide variety of media including drawing, painting, ceramics and printing, following projects that offer them a greater degree of choice and independent learning.

Key Stage 4 - Years 10 and 11

Students at Key Stage 4 can choose:

GCSE Art and Design

We use the EDEXCEL GCSE syllabus. Further detailed information can be obtained by going to www.edexcel.com

Over the two year period our students will produce a series of coursework outcomes based on themes of ‘Customs and Cultures, Still Life and Portraiture.’ Students will be given the opportunity to work in a range of media and develop skills including Painting, drawing, mixed media, printing and ceramics. We run a trip to the National Portrait gallery where students can participate in artist led workshops.

Towards the end of the course they will sit a 10 hour exam set by the exam board. This combined with their coursework will result in a final grade.

The course will cover the following areas:

• Component 1: Personal portfolio (Coursework) 60%
• Component 2: Externally Set Assignment (Exam) 40%

Good research and development linked with critical and historical studies are an important part of the course.

During the January of Year 11 students are set their External Assignment. They are given a choice of different tasks and pick one to complete. Students have 8 weeks preparation time plus ten hours of supervised time where they will make a 3D final piece. The Externally Set Assignment is worth 40% of the total mark.

Key Stage 5 - Years 12 and 13

We use the AQA Syllabus. Further information can be obtained by going to http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/art-and-design/gcse/art-and-design-4200

Students undertaking the Fine Art Endorsement will be expected to produce evidence of work chosen from at least one discipline such as sculpture, painting, drawing, printmaking or digital art. In the Autumn and Spring terms of Year 12 students will learn about the different art disciplines before specialising in a preferred media for their Personal Investigation.

Drawing skills from observation are important and will be reflected in coursework. In recent years we have run Life Drawing sessions as well as trips to hear professional artists talk and gallery visits.

Component 1:

• Personal Investigation 60%:
• Supporting studies (Sketchbooks, designs, preparatory work)
• Practical work in media of choice
• Essay linked to Personal Investigation theme (1000-3000