Is to create a stimulating, secure and caring environment within which all members of our community develop their potential to the full in the light of the Christian gospel.

DEPARTMENTAL ETHOS

To provide every student with the chance to progress and then pursue excellence within Art and Design.
To do this, the Department facilitates every student with the means to develop their talents fully, through the quality delivery of a broad and balanced curriculum and extra-curricular activities.
The students are given the opportunity to display these achievements in a variety of stages increasing their feelings of self-worth.

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 which promotes refined outcomes in two-, three-dimensional and digital media. The immediate impact of their work is strong, supported by deeply considered and powerfully expressed feelings and viewpoints.

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

Key Stage 3

All students are given a series of baseline tests in Year 7 to establish their working ability. They then embark on a program of study which covers a wide variety of disciplines including drawing, painting, three dimensional work, and ceramics. This allows students who may have little experience of Art at Key Stage 2 to make significant progress, as well as challenging more experienced students to work in different media. In Year 8 students are introduced to artists and art movements as well as building on the practical skills from Year 7. By Year 9, students will be expected to begin developing their own personal projects which they will research and develop in consultation with their teacher. This has worked particularly well in terms of not only giving students more ownership over their learning, but also gives students a much clearer idea of what GCSE studies will involve.

Curriculum Overview

Year 7	Year 8	Year 9
Drawing Skills	Observational drawing of Musical Instruments	Fine Art drawing techniques
Pop Art	Critical studies and cubism	Critical studies and Urban Art
Pottery	Abstract Art	Stencil Art
Self Portrait	Printmaking	Graffiti Art
Collage	Ceramics	Personal Individual project
	Watercolour art
	Mixed media / experimenting with materials

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. Staff and students focus strongly on reaching their potential, the proportion of students achieving grade 8 and 9 is part of a relentless drive to improve. However, the progress of students with special educational needs and/ or disabilities remains an equally high priority.

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

The course is divided between two components:
Component 1 (Coursework Tasks 60%)

Students are required to submit a portfolio of work that comprises of a 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.

Enrichment

The Art department delivers thriving Art Clubs after school. Miss Brannigan continues to run her successful Pottery Club which can lead to students achieving an accreditation of bronze in Arts Award, Trinity College, London. Mr Elwell delivers Photography Club.

Department Staff

Miss B Brannigan	Director of Creative and Performing Arts
Mr D Elwell	Art, Design and Technology Teacher, Head of Year