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Art and Design

The art and design department offers students many opportunities through the study of different disciplines to develop their knowledge and technical skills.

This large and popular department offers a wide range of specialisms to study including art, photography, 3D design, graphics and fashion textiles. All work is project based and builds on skills throughout the key stages. Extra-curricular activities are available for students at key stage 3, together with coursework support for those at key stage 4 and key stage 5. 

The art and design department offers a range of facilities including a kiln, a dark room, two computer rooms with the full Adobe creative suite, CAD software with two large laser cutting machines, two 3D printers and two workshops. Fashion and textiles students have access to two fully equipped, dedicated sewing rooms.

Over the past few years, students have had the opportunity to see the most exciting current exhibitions in London, as well as enjoy trips to Berlin, Barcelona and New York City and galleries such as The Tate galleries, V&A Museum, Photographer’s Gallery and The Design Museum.

Key Stage 3 

What are the Big Ideas in art?

Line  Colour Shape
Line is the foundation of all drawing and can be used to convey shape, movement and ideas. Colour is the element we use to create the mood or atmosphere in an artwork. Shape conveys the dynamic of the art, from strength and stability to imbalance and tension.

What topics are used to explore these ideas

Year group  Autumn term Spring term Summer term
In Year 7 Foundation studies and graphics: Cubist portraits Foundation studies and 3D: Picture frames Foundation studies and 3D: Mechanical robots
In Year 8 Foundation studies and fashion textiles: Tote bag Foundation studies and graphics: Sweet box Foundation studies and 3D: Mechanical robots
In Year 9
(on rotation)

Project 1: Art and sculpture on natural forms
Project 2: Graphic communication: Image and type
Project 3: 3D form: Architectural modelling
Project 4: Fashion textiles: Waistcoat design

GCSE Art & Design – Fine Art
 

GCSE Art & Design – Fine Art

Exam board AQA
Unit 1: Personal portfolio of work
Unit 2: Externally set assignment

Teaching Schedule

  Autumn term Spring term Summer term
In Year 10 Personal portfolio: Decay and growth Personal portfolio: Decay and growth Personal portfolio: Decay and growth
In Year 11 Personal Investigation Externally set assignment Portfolio refinements

A Level Art, Craft & Design 

A Level Art, Craft & Design

Exam board AQA
Unit 1: Personal portfolio of work
Unit 2: Externally set assignment

Teaching Schedule

  Autumn term Spring term Summer term
In Year 12 Basic skills and shape and texture Independent project Personal Investigation
In Year 13 Personal Investigation Externally set assignment Portfolio refinements

GCSE Art and Design: Graphic Communication 

GCSE Art and Design: Graphic Communication

Exam board AQA
Unit 1: Personal portfolio of work
Unit 2: Externally set assignment

Teaching Schedule

  Autumn term Spring term Summer term
In Year 10 Urban gardens (poster) Part A Urban gardens (poster) Part B Skills portfolio
In Year 11 TFL project Externally set assignment Portfolio review

A Level Art and Design: Graphic Communication 

A Level Art and Design: Graphic Communication

Exam board AQA
Unit 1: Personal portfolio of work
Unit 2: Externally set assignment

Teaching Schedule

  Autumn term Spring term Summer term
In Year 12 Fundamentals of Graphic Communication Fundamentals of Graphic Communication Personal Investigation
In Year 13 Personal Investigation Externally set assignment Portfolio review

GCSE Art and Design: 3D Design 

GCSE Art and Design: 3D Design

Exam board AQA
Unit 1: Personal portfolio of work
Unit 2: Externally set assignment

Teaching Schedule

  Autumn term Spring term Summer term
In Year 10 Geometric forms: Repurposing and architecture Geometric forms: Repurposing and architecture Geometric forms: Repurposing and architecture
In Year 11 Constructivist project Externally set assignment Portfolio review

A Level Art and Design: 3D Design 

A Level Art and Design: 3D Design

Exam board AQA
Unit 1: Personal portfolio of work
Unit 2: Externally set assignment

Teaching Schedule

  Autumn term Spring term Summer term
In Year 12 Organic forms and lighting Constructivism and Architecture Personal Investigation
In Year 13 Personal Investigation Externally set assignment Portfolio refinements

GCSE Art and Design: Textile Design 

GCSE Art and Design: Textile Design

Exam board AQA
Unit 1: Personal portfolio of work
Unit 2: Externally set assignment

Teaching Schedule

  Autumn term Spring term Summer term
In Year 10 Skill building techniques Trash (Hoodie) Trash (Hoodie)
In Year 11 Transform (Part B) Externally set assignment Portfolio review

A Level Art and Design: Textile Design 

A Level Art and Design: Textile Design

Exam board AQA
Unit 1: Personal portfolio of work
Unit 2: Externally set assignment

Teaching Schedule

  Autumn term Spring term Summer term
In Year 12 Skill building challenges (the seven day challenge) Gallery-based design Construction and shape: Organic and geometric project Personal investigation
In Year 13 Personal investigation Externally set assignment Portfolio review

GCSE Art and Design: Photography 

GCSE Art and Design: Photography 

Exam board AQA
Unit 1: Personal portfolio of work
Unit 2: Externally set assignment

Teaching Schedule

  Autumn term Spring term Summer term
In Year 10 Intro to photography: Camera functions and photographic formal elements Intro to photography: Camera functions and photographic formal elements Personal investigation
In Year 11 Personal investigation Externally set assignment Externally set assignment

A Level Art and Design: Photography 

A Level Art and Design: Photography

Exam board AQA
Unit 1: Personal portfolio of work
Unit 2: Externally set assignment

Teaching Schedule

  Autumn term Spring term Summer term
In Year 12 Fundamentals of photography Studio portraiture Independent project
In Year 13 Personal investigation Externally set assignment Portfolio review

Downloads to help with classwork, extended work or coursework, can be found on Frog.

Miss A Paisley is Head of Art and Design. Mr D Rollins is Deputy Head of Art and Design. Mrs S Hasnat is KS3 Coordinator.

Other members of the team are Miss M Ahmed, Mrs L Alton, Miss T Cameron, Miss B Cvejik-Reeve, Mr D Clarke, Miss J Donnelly and Miss N Wiffill.