Why art and design?
Art is a highly creative subject that stimulates our love of beauty and our aesthetic sensibilities. Art allows us to explore the world around us and to express our ideas, convey our experiences and respond to our surroundings.
Creativity and resilience are qualities highly prized in today’s workplace. The study of subjects like art and textiles gives students the opportunity to develop lifelong transferable skills while doing something creative that they enjoy.
Art and design at Ridgeway aims to inspire, engage and challenge all students as well as developing their critical understanding of the work of artists and craftspeople. Students regularly produce creative work, helping them develop their ideas and explore their creativity.
How we organise learning
In key stage 3, students gain basic artistic skills during a project that is run in a carousel rotation with music and drama. The project is designed to support students in becoming proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, evaluation and presentation.
Art and design in key stage 3
In year 7, students complete a project which introduces some of the fundamental skills of art and design such as mark making, colour theory, observational drawing and sketchbook presentation. Students regularly analyse and evaluate their own work and that of artists and craftspeople from a range of disciplines.
Textiles in year 7 introduces skills to students that they may not have previously experienced such as hand sewing, pattern cutting and product production. Students regularly analyse their own work and use this analysis to improve their practice.
Year 8 work expands and builds on knowledge and skills gained in year 7.
In art, students are expected to further develop their drawing, painting and evaluation skills as well as increasing their sequential knowledge in a variety of media such as collage, paint, chalk pastel and printmaking. A deeper emphasis is placed on the evaluation of artworks and the culture of art to further enhance skills acquired in year 7.
Textiles in year 8 builds on the basic skills acquired in year 7, such as hand sewing and pattern cutting, as well as introducing a range of other skills such as printing, dyeing, marbling and resist dyeing. Students are expected to apply these skills to a finished product.
Art and design in key stage 4
Examination Board: Eduqas
Specification Name: GCSE Art and Design
Component: Art, Craft and Design
Link: Art, Craft and Design
Students begin their GCSE in art and design with a project based on the theme All Things American. This project aims to develop students’ ability to work independently. They can complete the project in a variety of materials with a variety of subjects.
Following this initial project, students undertake a series of projects across different art disciplines including painting, sculpture and drawing. They further develop their independence and the ability to run their own projects by sourcing reference material and ideas for their pieces.
The final study year begins with a mock controlled assessment to prepare students for the externally set task which begins in January and makes up 40% of their overall grade. It gives students an idea of what to expect from the exam and experience of working independently to a tight time schedule.
Learning programmes
Click here to read our learning programmes in art and design.
More information
