Art and Design is a practical and creative subject that aims to develop fine art skills over time, together with a critical knowledge and understanding of different artist’s works.

Students will be assessed through topics developing the ability to handle materials, techniques and processes through the four key areas;

• Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources.
• Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes.
• Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses.
• Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language.

As students progress through the key stages, they will develop sketchbook/portfolio work that is broken up into topics. Each topic is assessed on key pieces and students given regular feedback and advice to act on consolidating key knowledge, skills and techniques.

Through practical skills and experimentation of media students should actively engage in the creative process of art craft and design in order to develop as effective and independent learners, and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds.

Students should develop an appreciation of different approaches of recording images such as observation, analysis, expression and imagination, together with an appreciation of different ways of working with creative techniques, processes and skills.

Students aim to produce portfolios of work that demonstrate varied use of media, together with independent and creative ideas. They are encouraged to develop skills and techniques within pieces of work that reflect their understanding of the world around them.

Year 7

• Colour –developing knowledge of colour theory through drawing, mixed media experimentation, collage and painting focusing on the formal elements.
• Geometric Drawing-developing knowledge of tone and form within drawing.
• Underwater-developing knowledge of the formal elements through expanding creative drawing skills within the underwater theme.

Year 8

• Landscape –developing knowledge of landscape/perspective through drawing, painting and mark making.
• Pop Art-developing knowledge of the pop Art movement exploring a range of techniques and artists styles.

Year 9

• Keith Haring-developing knowledge of his figurative themes through interpretation in a visual language.
• Antoni Gaudi-developing knowledge of architecture through mixed media skills and techniques.
• Natural Forms-developing links to the formal elements while exploring a range of different drawing styles.

The GCSE Fine Art course aims to develop creative, imaginative and intuitive capabilities when exploring and making images. Students are encouraged to become confident when taking risks and learn from experience when exploring and experimenting with ideas, processes, media and techniques.

In component 1 and component 2 students are required to work in one or more areas of Fine Art, e.g. drawing, painting or mixed media.

Course composition

• Component 1: Portfolio

Students should develop a sustained project developed in response to a subject theme evidencing the journey from initial engagement with an idea to the realisation of intentions. This gives students the opportunity to demonstrate, through an extended creative response, their ability to draw together different areas of knowledge, skills and/or understanding from across the course of study.

Students should develop a selection of further work resulting from activities such as trials and experiments, responses to gallery or museum visits and independent study.

• Component 2: Externally set assignment

This provides students the opportunity to demonstrate, through an extended creative response, their ability to draw together different areas of knowledge, skills and/or understanding in response to their selected starting point.

A preparation period is followed by 10 hours of supervised, unaided work in which students realise their intentions.

Students must show evidence of the four areas within component 1 and component 2

• Develop ideas through investigations
• Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting
• Record ideas, observations and insights
• Presenting a personal and meaningful response