What do students study?

The aims of the Art and Design department is for pupils to produce personal responses to the observed and imagined world. Pupils are encouraged to investigate a range of media and materials including painting, printmaking, drawing and three-dimensional processes, including clay. During key stage 3 pupils are also able to extend their experiences of art through workshops and community projects. Pupils have access to two art studios and their work is regularly exhibited throughout the school and in the wider community to celebrate success and achievement. KS3 art students can join Art club where they can extend their studies as well as take part in local competitions and events. Students have the opportunity to work collaboratively with Sidmouth School of Art and other local community groups.

Art in KS3 enables students to build core skills with a focus on the Visual Elements of Art. Students are taught how to research artists work and respond creatively to the work through personal outcomes and class discussion. Students are able to investigate various techniques with opportunities to try printmaking, photography and 3D design. Students are encouraged to use the schools learning habits to develop their skills and confidence.

Focus is very much on direct observation drawing and building up skills in various media. Areas covered include:

• Basic drawing techniques from direct observation
• Basic painting techniques: colour blending and mixing
• Working with clay
• Collaborative projects building leadership skills.
• Introduction to artist, designers and craftsmen in the form of written and drawn research.
• A range of printmaking techniques

How are students assessed?

In Key Stage 3, students are assessed formatively on pieces of work throughout each project. This is done by either by their teacher, as a whole class discussion, or as a self or peer assessment. Time is regularly spent discussing how to recognise a piece of work from each level and how to improve each student’s own work to raise their grade to the next stage. Students record these assessments on a tracker in the back of their books where they can clearly see their progression and areas of strength and weakness. Each project is then given a summative assessment at the end of the project by the teacher.

Students are introduced to and regularly practice the main skills which are required for the GCSE programme of study, gradually building confidence and familiarity with these skills. Within each Scheme of Work these skills typically include Observation, Experimentation, Refinement, Presentation, Realisation and Reviewing work.

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR?

• Students who wish to undertake further studies in Art and Design post-16. 
• Students who like to experiment and express their ideas creatively
• Students who have an interest and aptitude in the subject. 
• Students who are willing to develop their ideas independently with guidance and support from their teachers.

EXAM BOARD, COURSE CONTENT & ASSESSMENT DETAIL

• Exam Board—AQA
  Component 1 coursework (60%)
  Component 2 Exam (40%)

​The course is taught through several projects over the two years. The projects are based on interesting themes, and we encourage students to explore the themes in depth. To help them develop ideas, students will experience a variety of ways of working, discover new techniques and find out how to use many different materials. Students will be helped to explore how artists, designers and craftspeople have developed their own ideas, and they will be able to try these in their own work.  
 
Students will be shown how to draw from observation to build skills and confidence in manipulating the visual elements. Their sketchbooks will be an important record of their ideas over the two years and forms an important part of their final assessment.  Homework assignments will be directly related to their coursework.

WHAT CAN THIS COURSE LEAD TO POST 16?

This course provides a strong foundation for further progression into Art and Design related courses such as A-level Art and Design/photography, higher education, foundation studies, apprenticeships and university courses.

FOR WHAT CAREERS WILL THIS COURSE BE USEFUL?

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION

At the end of the course work is displayed for final moderation by the examiners.  This includes a portfolio of work in sketchbooks - coursework (60%) and examination work (40%) Art is primarily coursework based so this involves time and care to complete classwork and homework throughout the two years.

Introduction

In Art we try to develop a sense of excitement and fun in the selection and handling of a wide range of materials, and use this to relate our own feelings to the visual and tactile elements of the external world.

What do Students Study?

Drawing is central to our work, being a good way of collecting information, as well as helping us to understand what we see around us and develop our responses to it.  We also study the work of artists from all periods and cultures so we can better understand their techniques, how it expresses both their own individuality and the context in which it was made.  To this end, we arrange visits to art galleries.  We have visited London, Barcelona and other local galleries as well as inviting artists into school to run workshops with students.
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We like to encourage people to work in as individual a way as possible, so the work from any one group will cover a whole range of approaches and styles. No-one is forced to be a traditional painter if they would rather aspire to be a future Turner Prize winner!

How are students assessed?

Students work will be assessed using 4 assessment objectives. The course involves both portfolio work and practically set assignments to be carried out under examination conditions. 
Students will have regular reviews with their teacher to help and guide their learning.You will have regular reviews with your teacher to help and guide your learning.

• Component 1 Portfolio 60%
• Component 2 Externally set assignment 40%