Art
Head of Department - Miss J Forster
KS3
Year 7
All students will follow the same ‘foundation’ course to ensure basic skills, methods and approaches are covered following the National Curriculum. Research skills and use of the sketchbook are important aspects of the course. Students will be introduced to various drawing media, collage, card relief, clay, paint, and ink in this year. They will study basic composition, proportion, texture, colour theory and design techniques. During year 7 students complete two different units of work during their 1 hour lesson a week. Students complete units on identity and facial proportion during ‘Who am I?’ and pattern and colour during the ‘Klimt Fish’ unit.
Outside of lessons students complete an Independent Learning project looking at portraiture and how to develop and effectively use a sketchbook to complement the work that they completing in their Art lessons.
|
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
Term 3 |
|---|---|---|
|
Who am I? |
Who am I?/ Klimt Fish |
Klimt Fish |
Year 8
The programme of study continues into year 8 during their 1 hour a week, with students building upon the basic skills that they established in year 7. Students continue to build on their drawing skills exploring shape, colour and tone as well as creating a sculpture during the ‘Sweets and Cakes’ unit. Further development of drawing skills is the primary focus during the ‘Architecture’ unit, with students developing skills in illustrating scale, proportion and perspective, using tone and paint. Student then focus upon creating a final outcome from their sketchbook work and previous study in this unit, exploring how they generate ideas and bring their own imaginative ideas to the piece.
Outside of lessons students complete an Independent Learning project looking at developing their ideas, being creative and refining their artistic skills.
|
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
Term 3 |
|---|---|---|
|
Sweets and Cakes |
Sweets &Cakes/Architecture |
Architecture |
Year 9
Year 9 is the start of students working at GCSE standard. Students continue to have one lesson of Art a week and complete 2 themes of study exploring ‘The Eye Project’ and ‘Antoni Gaudi and Natural Forms’. The primary focus of this year is in establishing students understanding of the four Assessment Objective areas of recording through drawing, critically analysing the work of others, developing ideas and producing a personal outcome based upon their research during the topic. The work completed during this year aids students in their development in preparation for their GCSE in Art and also links to their understanding in other subject areas.
|
Term 1 |
Term 2 |
Term 3 |
|---|---|---|
|
The Eye Project |
The Eye Project/Gaudi |
Gaudi |
KS4
GCSE Art and Design (AQA 8201)
- Exam board AQA
- Exam board subject website
Additional information of use to students/parents during study
During year 10, students work to further embed their artistic skills. For their first unit students choose to study either ‘Natural Forms’, ‘Everyday Objects’ or ‘African Art’, and for the second unit all students complete work on the theme of ‘Insects’. The course is designed to ensure that this work covers all four of the Assessment Objective areas required for their GCSE coursework. Students focus upon their drawing and recording skills in their sketchbooks and are expected to develop their ideas through their study and understanding of the work of other artists including Peter Randall-Page, Michael Brennand-Wood Vincent Van Gogh, Mr Finch, M.C. Escher and Michelle Morin.
Year 11 is the culmination year of the GCSE, with the primary emphasis being upon the completion and improvement of student’s coursework and the Externally Set Assignment which included the 10 hour controlled exam. Students are expected to review and reflect upon their work and make improvements where necessary in line with the Assessment Objectives based upon the advice and feedback given to them from their Art teacher. The movement in year 11 is towards enabling students to have a broad range of skills and to produce a high quality portfolio of work which demonstrates their creativity ability to record ideas, to work independently, and to aid them in applying for or moving onto the further study of creative subjects.
KS5
A Level Art, Craft and Design, A level Fine Art, A level Textiles and A level Three Dimensional Design
- Exam board: AQA (7021, 7022, 7024 and 7025)
- Exam board subject website
- Link to past papers
Additional information of use to students/parents during study
What is the Course Content?
The department offers a number of pathways within the Art and Design endorsement. Students are able to choose to study Fine Art, Art, Craft and Design, Three Dimensional Design and Textiles. All students are encouraged to work in a variety of media and styles in your practical work - drawing from observation, drawing for communication, photography, collage, painting, printmaking, ceramics and sculpture form the main areas. Art History will take the form of group tutorials, theory and analysis lessons, trips to galleries or lectures and personal discussions with staff. Students start in Year 12 by initially looking at ‘Science and Anatomy’ before developing their work into more personalised independent projects for their coursework. In Year 13 students reflect upon and concentrate on improving their work, and in February students then switch to focusing upon work for the Externally Set Assignment, and their 15 hour exam.
How is the Course Assessed?
Coursework counts for 60% of the marks at A level with 40% for the Externally Set Assignment. All assessed units, both coursework and examinations, are marked by the centre and moderated by the exam board.
What sort of work am I expected to do?
This course includes practical work in a variety of media and styles as well as investigating equipment and materials thoroughly. Students will be expected to read and research widely and aim to gain a wide general knowledge of art and design. Essays will be expected on Art History and topics related to the chosen personal study. Individual visits to local art galleries will be expected as well as group fieldwork, which usually involves visits to Chatsworth and the Harley Gallery or sketching locally.
Where does A-Level Art Lead?
Your A-Level qualification can lead to the following:
- Wide acceptance to University and Higher Education courses.
- Essential for entry to Foundation Art and Design course at Chesterfield College i.e. pre Degree one year course.
- Many careers in the Art and Design area are possible-architecture, animation, photography, graphic art, interior design, jewellery, furniture, teaching, interior design fashion etc.
- Art is very useful for teaching at primary level or Art or Occupational Therapy.