Key Stage Three

Key Stage Three students follow a programme of study that builds skills, understanding and knowledge in a wide range of art forms including drawing, painting, mixed media, 3D work and looking at existing art from a wide range of sources. This gives the students an excellent grounding and will enable them to be prepared at KS4 for GCSE. 

In Year 9, students can chose to study Fine Art, Textile Design or Graphic Communication. 

Key Stage Four

At Key Stage Four we offer three GCSE subjects: Fine Art, Textiles and Graphic communication.

Fine Art

Students will explore and investigate a range of techniques including drawing, printmaking, acrylic painting, watercolours, inks, oil pastels, mixed media processes and three-dimensional works that extend skills and knowledge in Art. Students will learn about different artists and art movements and will use their research to inspire the development of their own work.

Textiles

Students explore a diverse range of Textiles materials, techniques and processes in order to develop personal ideas and produce original outcomes in areas such as fashion, textile art, sculpture and fabric manipulation. Students will respond to a stimulus or starting point and can pursue their own areas of interest and expertise within this. They are taught to use visual language sensitively and thoughtfully to support their intentions.

Graphics communication

Students explore how text and images can be used to communicate ideas using a wide variety of techniques, for example, design for print, typography or branding. Students work towards a particular brief, which could be for areas such as advertising, packaging, books or posters using a range of graphic tools, techniques and processes. This includes both traditional 2D and 3D media and computer aided design such as Photoshop and Illustrator.

For all GCSE options there are four assessment objectives through which students gain marks:

DEVELOP – students develop ideas whilst engaging with the work of other artists.

REFINE – students refine their use of materials through a process of experimentation and review.

RECORD – students record ideas and intentions through research, photography, drawing and written evaluation.

PRESENT – students present a personal response in response to their investigations.

Students will receive frequent feedback to help them to develop their ideas and skills.

GCSE assessment is a Non–Examination Assessment (NEA) which is a product of work produced in years 10 and 11.

Unit 1: 60% of total mark - A portfolio of work; themes are set by the teacher, but the students are encouraged to produce a personal response.

Unit 2: 40% of total mark - An externally set project over a ten-week period which culminates in a ten-hour examination, during which the students produce a final piece of work.

Both units are marked by the teacher and moderated by AQA.