The Art and Design department at USH is where creativity is driven by the learner. Students are empowered by visual and expressive vocabulary: giving them the tools to communicate and express visions that are beyond the capacity of words.

 

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.

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

 

 

Assessment

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.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

We link practical work to the wider artistic context and this is supported though visiting artists and external visits. Yearly, we visit London galleries as well as local galleries such as Southampton Art Gallery and The John Hansard Gallery. This year we ran our first Art and Design residential to St Ives. We encourage students from Year 9 upwards to attend after school sessions as this supports the development of their skills and confidence.

Useful Resources

  • BBC Bitesize - A helpful guide to the assessment objectives.

 

 

Assessment

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.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

We link practical work to the wider artistic context and this is supported though visiting artists and external visits. Yearly, we visit London galleries as well as local galleries such as Southampton Art Gallery and The John Hansard Gallery. This year we ran our first Art and Design residential to St Ives. We encourage students from Year 9 upwards to attend after school sessions as this supports the development of their skills and confidence.

Useful Resources

  • BBC Bitesize - A helpful guide to the assessment objectives.