Art

David Hopkins
Head of Art

Head of Department

Please email David Hopkins if you need to make an enquiry about art.

Curriculum Time

Throughout years 7, 8 and 9 students will work on developing their own visual language and have the opportunity to experiment with a wide range of materials and processes including drawing, painting, printing, collage, photography, mixed media and graphics. At GCSE pupils receive 5 lessons a fortnight.

Homework Policy

Art and design homework encourages all students to work independently, by taking ownership of their practical work. The range of homework tasks vary but involve all pupils developing their creative art and design skills. In lower school pupils will receive homework once every 2/3 weeks. At GCSE homework becomes a personal and integral part of portfolio work. Student are expected to take folio work home every week, sometimes more often in order to develop practical skills.

Class Grouping

All classes in Art are mixed ability

Rooming and Resources

We have 2 specialist art rooms that are fully equipped to help students be inspired and achieve their full potential.

GCSE Specification

The Art and Design GCSE is made up of two elements; portfolio work and the final exam.

The portfolio work will be created in year 9, 10 and the first term of year 11. You will work on 3 projects in this time and at the end of year 11 you will select your best work and submit this for marking. The portfolio mark will account for 60% of your final grade.

The exam will be 10 hours, spread over 2 days and sat at the end of year 11. You will have from the beginning of January to prepare for the exam and complete all your preparation work in your sketchbook. You will be given a range of themes/words by the AQA (the exam board) and you will have to select and investigate one of these for your exam work.

Year 9

Over the course of year 9 students will build a skills based portfolio based on the theme ‘Altered Nature’. During this project you will explore various medias such as tonal pencil, watercolour, relief work, collage, mark making, acrylic paint and photography. You will investigate a range of self-selected artists, designers or photographers and use their work to inspire your own work. To assist your development of ideas we will visit museums and galleries.

Year 10

Over the course of year 10 you will be working on 2 different projects.

The first project will be Fantastic and Strange.
During this project you will explore various medias such as tonal pencil, watercolour, relief work, collage, mark making, acrylic paint and photography. You will investigate a range of self-selected artists, designers or photographers and use their work to inspire your own work. To assist your development of ideas we will visit museums and galleries.

During the summer term in year 10 you will begin the mock exam work. You will be given 7 exam themes and 6 weeks to investigate and develop your ideas ready for the 10 hour mock exam at the end. The work you complete for this mock can be counted towards your portfolio work.

Year 11 – Sense of Place

During this project you will explore location sketching, photography, collage, acrylic painting, screen printing, mono-printing and computer based artwork. To assist your development of ideas we will visit Whitby.

After the Christmas holidays you will be given the exam paper from the AQA. You will then have to select from one of the themes given and begin your preparation work. Your final 10 hour exam will take place in the spring term. All work completed for this exam will count towards 40% of your final mark.

Grading

Below are a series of statements that explain the difference between some of the grades in Art and Design.

Grades 9-8

Grades 7-6

Grades 5-4

Departmental Ethos

It is the art department policy that every effort should be made to realise the creative potential in each student encouraging them to develop practical skills; to gain independence and increase their capacity for visual awareness.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

The art department offers a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities through lunchtime and after school clubs.