Art

Art allows students to assess the world around them using a visual language helping to bring about a balance between creativity and more academic work. Studying Art helps students to build confidence through the acquisition of skills and the development of an ideas from concept to the production of an independent final piece. The department aim to follow a balanced and inclusive scheme of learning based around the Fine art principles of drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture.

We support students in becoming more resilient learners who are unafraid to try new ideas, make mistakes and learn through this process. We aim to foster a lifelong passion for Art and encourage students to nurture their passion for the subject outside of the classroom, providing students with a sense of pride and achievement. Developing students’ enquiry skills and creativity can support their learning journey in all aspects of the curriculum and hopefully beyond into the outside world.

Drawing is a core skill which underpins all other elements of Art. Proficiency in drawing is developed through handling of a wide range of materials and techniques. This explorative approach at KS3 enables students who go on to study Art at KS4 to progress their skills, understanding and applying them with more sophistication and mastery. Students gain knowledge of the work of artists, craftspeople and designers through thematic based projects set around a timeline of Art from ancient art to modern day art.

This cultural capital, enables students to understand the context of the artwork and discuss its relevance to their own lives. At GCSE, students are encouraged to independently explore a range of artists’ styles and approaches which reflect their choice of theme and support the development of their ideas. The curriculum is built around the formal elements of Line, Colour, Tone, Form, Texture, Pattern, Shape and Composition. Students at KS3 are taught about the formal elements and are then taught how to apply the formal elements effectively to communicate ideas and respond to the world around them. The Curriculum aims to build on students’ prior knowledge through retrieval practice and enable them to apply their knowledge, skills and understanding to new themes and ideas.

We aim to inspire students through a range of teaching strategies which are accessible for all learners. Rigorous and sequential planning allow for scaffolding of skills and extension tasks catering for all abilities. Expert subject knowledge through modelling techniques and processes allows students to aim high and build confidence, retrieval tasks help students retain and apply knowledge and skills effectively to new and challenging themes and topics. We aim to create an environment where students feel free to explore ideas without fear of failure, helping to build independence.

A range of resources is employed within lessons to motivate and build confidence and understanding, for example Power Points, video clips, teacher examples, exemplar student work and practical demonstrations. Students are encouraged to talk about their work and ideas and share good practice, promoting oracy skills and peer support. Rewards and recognition through the school reward system and the department social media platform help to inspire students to strive to be their best. Students work in a sketchbook format over KS3 allowing them have a visual record of their learning journey and development over time.

Low Stake

To embed knowledge in long-term memory, every lesson starts with students quizzed on prior knowledge (Verbal and Written Do Now Tasks). Student performance is then used effectively by teachers to identify misconceptions and plan accordingly to narrow knowledge gaps.

Mid Stake

Practical tasks completed independently in lessons during each learning phase. Students receive personalised written feedback to guide them in making the necessary improvements to their art piece. Teachers will check how students have acted on this feedback.

High Stake

The accumulation of practical skills and knowledge acquired is assessed at the end of each learning phase when the final piece is completed.