Art and Design
Art Department Curriculum Intent
Intent
At KS3 students begin a programme of study designed sequentially towards the demands of KS4.
We aim to develop over time during KS3 a number of areas:
• To be able to creatively express ideas and experiences
• To be able to analyse and select appropriately the work of different artists and from different cultures and make connections to their own work.
• To be able to experiment with a range of media, techniques and processes relevant to intentions
• To be able to organise and develop ideas relevant to given theme and own intentions
• To be able to produce skilful final outcomes
The curriculum is planned to develop the key skills, knowledge and techniques to make the necessary progress towards KS4.
Implementation
Across KS3 SOW are intended to develop students in a number of ways so they may make a smooth transition to KS4. The curriculum allows for key skills, knowledge and techniques to be revisited over the three years in a variety of ways, to build upon what has been learnt and to ensure this is embedded as far as possible for all learners.
Adapted learning strategies and tailored resources promote progress for all individuals based on their starting point.
An Art Forum on the VLE has proved a valuable opportunity to improve literacy and the quality of annotation, with students being able to read each other’s comments. This has been extended to involve both Year 10 and Year 11 and is often set as an extended learning task.
At KS4 students are provided with adapted mock exam papers to better suit each individual.
During Year 10 students attend two visits to museums and galleries to enrich their coursework and provide the opportunity to work from first hand observation.
Much of the assessment at KS3 is based around the KS4 Assessment Objectives, particularly for Year 9, and SOW are designed to meet these criteria.
Impact
At KS3 the majority of students show steady sustained improvement from Year 7 to Year 9 towards their targets. They make the progress we would expect as it is necessary for their Art education to start from the beginning due to their varying previous experiences.
At KS4 the Art 4 – 9 pass rates have been stable over the past few years with general improvement. Beginning the GCSE course earlier for those who have opted for Art has aided the development of skills and techniques and begun to embed the requirements of the GCSE qualification.
Student feedback from their Art courses at further education is very positive. They feel the course we provide at GCSE prepares them well for furthering their studies in this area.
Key Stage 3
The national curriculum for art and design aims to ensure that all students:
• produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences
• become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques
• evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design
• know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.
Year 7
The emphasis on students’ experience of Art and Design through Year 7 is to gain knowledge, understanding, skills and techniques inspired by the work of artists and cultures. Through project work, students are given a wide experience of making art in a variety of mediums that include painting, drawing, print and sculpture.
Year 8
The emphasis on students’ experience of Art and Design through Year 8 is to build upon knowledge, understanding, skills and techniques gained throughout Year 7. Students continue to develop an appreciation of the work of artists/ designers and understand the role of artwork from a range of cultures. Through project work students experience making art in a variety of mediums that include painting, drawing, printing and sculpture.
Year 9
Year 9 students will build on their experience in Year 8, progressing to more in depth projects and exploring new materials and subjects as well as developing their drawing skills. Students will gain experience and skills in painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking and linking their work to the work of others. Projects are designed to fit more closely with the GCSE requirements to promote a smoother transition from KS3 to KS4.
Key Stage 4
Qualification: GCSE Art and Design
Examination Board: Edexcel
Course content
Students will complete four individual projects which will make up the controlled assessment element of the course. These are many and varied. They include: man-made environment; World Art; conflict and disaster; structures in Nature; a sense of place; viewpoints; adorn, decorate and embellish; still life.
The qualification is 60% coursework and 40% exam.
Unit 1 – Personal Portfolio in Art and Design in Year 10 and Year 11
Tasks set and marked by school
Unit 2 – Externally Set Assignment in Year 11
Tasks set by the Examining Board; marked by school and externally moderated by the Examining Board.
Each unit is assessed separately out of 72 marks. Students are assessed on four areas: experimenting with a range of media; recording ideas; researching artists and cultures and producing a final outcome. Annotation has become an area of focus with the new specification.
