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 art and textiles gives students the opportunity to develop lifelong transferable skills whilst doing something creative that they enjoy.
How we organise learning
In Key Stage 3, students develop their basic artistic skills during two main projects which are run in a carousel rotation with music and drama. They focus on drawing, painting, planning, evaluation and producing a final outcome.
Art and design in key stage 3
In Year 7 students complete a project based on the work of pop artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol and Keith Haring. They use the Mersey Ferries Razzle Dazzle ship as inspiration to create a series of drawn, painted and coloured pieces.
In Year 8, students expand on the drawing techniques developed during Year 7 by completing a drawing project based on the theme of graffiti and street art. They use pencil, colour pencil, watercolour, oil pastels and collage to produce a series of pieces based on graffiti art.
Art and design in key stage 4
Examination Board: AQA
Specification Name: GCSE Art and Design
Component: Art, Craft and Design
Link: Art, Craft and Design
Students begin their GCSE course in Year 9 where they further develop their drawing skills. They complete a four-week introduction project, learning how to observe objects correctly and the principles of shading. They then go on to complete a number of projects across a number of disciplines. They can then choose from a wide range of materials, techniques and processes for subsequent projects.
During Year 10 students undertake a number of projects across different disciplines of art including, painting, sculpture & drawings. They develop independence and the ability to run their own projects with their own reference material and ideas for their pieces.
Year 11 begins with a mock controlled assessment to prepare students for the externally set task which begins in January of Year 11 and makes up 40% of their overall grade. This gives students an idea of what to expect from the exam and experience of working independently to a tight time schedule.