Curriculum

ART & DESIGN

Why study Art?

Art engages pupils with their own culture as well as with the wider world. Pupils explore how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity, and wealth of our nation. The study of Art and Design supports the development of fine motor skills, hand eye coordination, language skills, social skills, decision-making, risk-taking, lateral thinking, complex analysis, problem solving, and inventiveness.

How will I study Art?

Our Art & Design curriculum provides pupils with the opportunity to demonstrate imagination and creative flair. Pupils are able to develop and refine their drawing and observational skills through sketching a range of everyday objects and primary images and making their work personal. Pupils have the opportunity to experiment with and select methods and approaches, synthesise observations, ideas and feelings to create compositions for paintings, collages, textiles and other creative responses. They are encouraged to explore their artistic styles by studying a range of artists and their ‘drawing and making’ styles.

What will I study at Key Stage 3?

During Key Stage 3, pupils study the formal elements of Art and Design. The curriculum covers an introduction to drawing through still life, illustration, graphics, and abstract expressionism. Observational skills are developed through photography and portraiture. As they progress through KS3, pupils study historical and cultural design through architecture. They engage in the creation of landscape paintings, printing techniques, sculpture and mixed media. Pupils also learn about art movements and their connection to societies, cultures and moments in time.

What will I study at Key Stage 4?

GCSE Art and Design – Art, Craft and Design
During Key Stage 4, Art, Craft and Design pupils work to a selection of themes including Natural Forms and Identity. This involves investigating the work of existing artists and exploring their use of materials, techniques and processes. Pupils will respond to the theme through a series of research and practical-based tasks. They will immerse themselves in the creation of art using a range of media and approaches. As they develop their skill and understanding, pupils will refine their ideas and gain confidence through experimentation and exploration. Pupils will gather inspiration from primary sources and first-hand experiences to help them develop personal and meaningful works of art. Pupils will create a portfolio which consists of sketchbooks, canvases, and design boards.

Curriculum Overview

Year 7	Year 8	Year 9
Elements of Art Colour theory Painting (watercolour) Sculpture and construction Movement Mark Making (pen/oil pastel) Positive & negative space Repetition Elements: Texture, line, colour, pattern Principles: Rhythm	Architecture Observational drawing (pen/pencil) Grid Method Primary and secondary sources Historical and cultural design Elements: Line, texture, tone, shape, form Principles: Emphasis, proportion Environment Landscape (paint) Seascape (paint) Painting (acrylic/watercolour) Elements: Colour, space Principles: Balance, harmony	In The News Urban Street Art Graffiti Sticker Art Guerrilla Art Political, social and economic contexts Lest we Forget War Art Symbolism Observational drawing Journalism/photography
Changes One Point Perspective Typography (pen, marker) Collage Elements: Colour, shape, form Principles: Balance, emphasis Near & Far Observational drawing (pencil crayon/watercolour) Grid method Photography (composition) Elements: Texture, line, tone, space Principles: Proportion, harmony	Botanical Printing (block/screen/mono) Observational drawing (pencil crayon) Textile Art (fabric/fibres) Elements: Line, shape, form, texture Principles: Proportion Human Observational drawing Portraiture/Sculpture Anatomical Sketching Elements: Line, shape, form, tone Principles: Proportion	Black and White Focus: Alternative Drawing Methods Mark making tools Single line drawing Sensory drawing Species Textile Art and Design: Fashion Design Fabric Manipulation 3D Printing (theory)
Characters Illustration Characterisation Portraiture Elements: Pattern, colour, line Principles: Balance, emphasis	Identity Mixed Media Creative lettering (marker pen) Juxtaposition (paper) Elements: Texture, colour Principles: Emphasis, variety	Layers Land Art Installation Photography

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Elements of Art

Colour theory
Painting (watercolour)
Sculpture and construction

Movement

Mark Making (pen/oil pastel)
Positive & negative space
Repetition
Elements: Texture, line, colour, pattern
Principles: Rhythm

Architecture

Observational drawing (pen/pencil)
Grid Method
Primary and secondary sources
Historical and cultural design
Elements: Line, texture, tone, shape, form
Principles: Emphasis, proportion

Environment

Landscape (paint)
Seascape (paint)
Painting (acrylic/watercolour)
Elements: Colour, space
Principles: Balance, harmony

In The News

Urban Street Art
Graffiti
Sticker Art
Guerrilla Art
Political, social and economic contexts

Lest we Forget

War Art
Symbolism Observational drawing Journalism/photography

Changes

One Point Perspective Typography (pen, marker)
Collage
Elements: Colour, shape, form Principles: Balance, emphasis

Near & Far

Observational drawing (pencil crayon/watercolour)
Grid method
Photography (composition)
Elements: Texture, line, tone, space
Principles: Proportion, harmony

Botanical

Printing (block/screen/mono)
Observational drawing (pencil crayon)
Textile Art (fabric/fibres)
Elements: Line, shape, form, texture
Principles: Proportion

Human

Observational drawing Portraiture/Sculpture Anatomical Sketching
Elements: Line, shape, form, tone
Principles: Proportion

Black and White

Focus: Alternative Drawing Methods
Mark making tools Single line drawing Sensory drawing

Species

Textile Art and Design: Fashion Design
Fabric Manipulation
3D Printing (theory)

Characters

Illustration
Characterisation
Portraiture
Elements: Pattern, colour, line
Principles: Balance, emphasis

Identity

Mixed Media
Creative lettering (marker pen)
Juxtaposition (paper)
Elements: Texture, colour
Principles: Emphasis, variety

Layers

Land Art Installation Photography

GCSE Art, Craft and Design KS4

Year 10	Year 11
Foundation Studies (taught): Theme: e.g. “Natural Form” Elements and principles of art Artists, craftspeople and designers (traditional and contemporary; 2D and 3D) Recording visual and tactile communication methods Primary and secondary sources Effective and safe use of media, materials and technologies Use of materials, media, techniques and processes	Sustained Phase – Exploring Architecture for Inspiration (From September 2022) Artists, craftspeople and designers (traditional, contemporary and emerging; 2D and 3D) Art movements (modern and historical) Periods, societies and cultures Master use of materials, media, techniques and processes Sustained Phase (Independent learning) e.g. “Journeys” (September 2023) Artists, craftspeople and designers (traditional, contemporary and emerging; 2D and 3D) Art movements (modern and historical) Periods, societies and cultures Master use of materials, media, techniques and processes
Foundation Studies (taught): Theme: e.g. “Close Up” Practitioners in the creative and cultural industries Art movements (modern and historical) Develop ideas through investigation and critical evaluation of sources Develop use of materials, media, techniques and processes Record ideas, observations, insights and opinions (visually and using specialist vocabulary) Exploration of materials, media, techniques and processes	Externally Set Task (Assignment + exam phase) Realise intentions through sustained application of creative process Research, develop, refine and record ideas (There is no restriction on the scale of work, media or materials used)
Developmental Phase (directed): Theme: e.g. “Identity” Periods, societies and cultures Art movements (modern and historical) Develop ideas for context/theme Refine use of materials, media, techniques and processes Realise intentions through sustained application of creative process Record ideas, observations, insights and independent judgement (visually and using specialist vocabulary)	Selection and Creation of Final Portfolio Record ideas, observations, insights and independent judgement (visually and using specialist vocabulary) Present outcomes which showcase use of materials, media, techniques and processes

Year 10

Year 11

Foundation Studies (taught): Theme: e.g. “Natural Form”

Elements and principles of art
Artists, craftspeople and designers (traditional and contemporary; 2D and 3D)
Recording visual and tactile communication methods
Primary and secondary sources
Effective and safe use of media, materials and technologies
Use of materials, media, techniques and processes

Sustained Phase – Exploring Architecture for Inspiration (From September 2022)

Artists, craftspeople and designers (traditional, contemporary and emerging; 2D and 3D)
Art movements (modern and historical)
Periods, societies and cultures
Master use of materials, media, techniques and processes

Sustained Phase (Independent learning) e.g. “Journeys” (September 2023)

Artists, craftspeople and designers
(traditional, contemporary and emerging; 2D and 3D)
Art movements (modern and historical)
Periods, societies and cultures
Master use of materials, media, techniques and processes

Foundation Studies (taught): Theme: e.g. “Close Up”

Practitioners in the creative and cultural industries
Art movements (modern and historical) Develop ideas through investigation and critical evaluation of sources
Develop use of materials, media, techniques and processes
Record ideas, observations, insights and opinions (visually and using specialist vocabulary)
Exploration of materials, media, techniques and processes

Externally Set Task (Assignment + exam phase)

Realise intentions through sustained application of creative process
Research, develop, refine and record ideas (There is no restriction on the scale of work, media or materials used)

Developmental Phase (directed): Theme: e.g. “Identity”

Periods, societies and cultures
Art movements (modern and historical) Develop ideas for context/theme
Refine use of materials, media, techniques and processes
Realise intentions through sustained application of creative process
Record ideas, observations, insights and independent judgement (visually and using specialist vocabulary)

Selection and Creation of Final Portfolio

Record ideas, observations, insights and independent judgement (visually and using specialist vocabulary)
Present outcomes which showcase use of materials, media, techniques and processes

Assessment at Key Stage 3

Internal assessments take place every half-term.

Assessment at Key Stage 4

GCSE Art & Design (Art, Craft and Design) AQA 8201

Overview	Focus
Component 1 – Portfolio 60% of GCSE	Pupils develop responses to initial starting points, project briefs or specified tasks and realise intentions informed by research, the development and refinement of ideas and meaningful engagement with selected sources. Responses will include evidence of drawing for different purposes and needs and written annotation.

	Focus
Component 2 – Externally Set Assignment 40% of GCSE	Pupils respond to a starting point provided by AQA. This response provides evidence of the pupil’s ability to work independently within specified time constraints, realise intentions that are personal and meaningful and explicitly address the requirements of all four assessment objectives.

KS4 Exam Board Specification: AQA GCSE Art and Design (8201-8206)

Enrichment

We offer subject-specific enrichment clubs and organise a range of educational visits throughout the year. Pupils can take part in school-wide competitions, as well as representing the school in local and national competitions designed to increase their engagement and enhance their subject knowledge. We offer a regular afterschool club so that pupils can access the Art classroom and explore different medias without constraints. We hold an annual Art Exhibition to showcase the work of pupils throughout all year groups.

Careers

Engagement with Art can lead to future careers ranging from illustrator, graphic designer and jewellery artist to architect, digital content creator, fashion designer and photographer.