Art

The Art department aims to teach all students to be visually literate; to make them aware of the world about them and alive to its beauties, so that they can express themselves through art as fluently as they do through speech or writing.

Students develop a means of personal expression when they learn to make sense of, and appreciate, the visual world through the combined use of intelligence, eyes and feelings. Students of all abilities are therefore encouraged to work through their strengths, to develop as individuals and to use their intelligence (that is, the sum of all the senses by which we know).

Drawing is central to all art activity. All students will increasingly use drawing as a means to: express clearly feelings, ideas and emotions; inform subsequent work; develop good practice already established; undertake research and enquiry.

In Years 7 and 8, students explore a variety of starting points for practical work, including Michael Craig-Martin, Hundertwasser and Natural Forms, looking at Peter Randall-Page and Land Artists, such as Andy Goldsworthy. They will work individually and in small groups, using a range of materials and processes, producing outcomes in both two- and three-dimensions. At least two projects each year will look in detail at examples of art, craft and design practice, both historical and contemporary.

Those opting for Art at GCSE, from Year 9 through to Y11 will follow the Edexcel art syllabus. Students begin to experience an increasingly holistic sense of how artists and designers think and work. Units of work are more thematic in nature, involving a focus on ideas and concepts common to a great many practitioners. The choice of formal elements and media will therefore be dictated by the different styles of work being studied.

Work submitted for assessment must result from a broad area of study.

Students will have the opportunity to visit galleries and be exposed to as much Art and Design and working artists as possible.

Two units of coursework are required: the first is a portfolio of thoughtfully selected work, including evidence of at least three projects, which is worth 60% of the final GCSE grade. The second is an externally set final exam; 10 hours long and sat over 2 days, it is worth 40% of the final GCSE grade.