In Art, pupils will experience learning in the three main areas of painting, printmaking and sculpture. We incorporate a range of techniques and drawing is embedded throughout the curriculum. 

 

We work closely with the local Cubitt Gallery and artists visit on a regular basis to inspire learning either in lessons or in extra-curricular activities such as photography club. We also have a link with the Prince’s School of Traditional Arts, who deliver short courses in the practice and theory of traditional arts and crafts.

 

We expect students to develop their existing knowledge, understanding and experiences of materials and concepts through Art; to question their understanding of Art within the context of self, culture, environment and history; and to communicate this through the use of specialist language and visual literacy.

 

We aspire to encourage all pupils to reach their true potential and eventually become independent learners, who value learning with and from others.

 

Photoshop club work by Winnie Mac and Gabrielle Watts in year 10. These will be enlarged and used on the hoardings.

 

Art at Key Stage 3  

 

 

We offer a broad and diverse curriculum to our Key stage 3 students. Topics include; 

• Colour theory and learning about the double primary mixing system

• Painting techniques 

• Creating lino prints and screen prints from looking at nature and design

• Self-portraits; looking at artists who make self-portraits and creating their own inspired by the artists

• Enlargement; Creating sculptures by enlarging an object from its normal size

• Clay relief; based on looking at family photographs

 

Students will be introduced to both traditional and contemporary artists as well as learning many new techniques and skills.  Students will also have the opportunity to go on a trip to an art gallery and put on an exhibition in our new gallery in the school. 

 

Study at Home for KS3

 

Here is a list of web sites that will help  with homework and class work:

 

www.artcyclopedia.com              - For links to all artists

www.tateonline.co.uk                  - For finding out about modern artists

www.iniva.org                              - For contemporary art (art that is made recently)

www.nationalgallery.org.uk         - For finding out about the ‘old masters’ (famous painters)

www.bbc.arts.co.uk                     - For images from the news that you could use in your art

www.autograph.app.co.uk           - For photography

www.britishmuseum.ac.uk          - For research into cultures across the world

 

We also recommend that students receive the opportunity to visit art galleries -  either local or major galleries such as the Tate Modern, Tate Britain or the National Gallery.

 

Art at Key Stage 4

 

At Key stage 4 students will attend 3 lessons a week. They will need to meet the 4 assessment criteria for the GCSE which are:

• AO1- Develop ideas through investigations informed by contextual and other sources demonstrating analytical and cultural understanding

• AO2- Refine their ideas through experimenting and selecting appropriate resources , media, materials, techniques and processes

• AO3- Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to their intentions in visual or other forms 

• AO4- Present a personal, informed and meaningful response demonstrating analytical and critical understanding, realising intentions and where appropriate, making connections between visual, written, oral or other elements 

 

Our projects incorporate all elements of the assessment criteria and are embedded with observational drawing and photography. The students often have one to one mentoring with artists from the Cubitt gallery.

 

Through experiences of working with others in the creative fields and highlighting career opportunities related to Art we seek to broaden the ambition of our students beyond Key Stage 4.

 

Study at Home for KS4

 

It is very important for Key stage 4 students to visit galleries and museums because cultural understanding contributes to the final GCSE grade. When visiting the galleries they should take a sketch book and draw or write about the work that interests them.

 

The websites listed above will continue to support work in KS4.

 

Recent Events

 

We have recently opened a pupils’ gallery which will showcase their work in regular exhibitions. There is currently a year 7 exhibition about mythical creatures and patterns.

 

A group of year 7 students have just completed a pop-up book, using words that had particular meaning to them as a starting point. 

 

We are currently developing work to adorn the hoardings that surround most of the school while building work is going on. The idea is to have a living wall that communicates ideas and messages to those who see it. Students will have full control of what goes on the wall and what the themes will be. This is a collaborative project run by the Cubitt gallery, teachers and students  who are members of photoshop club, photography club and hoardings club.