Key Stage 3

Assessment: In years 7, 8 and 9 students use their sketchbooks as well as larger pieces in 2 and 3 dimensions to be assessed. This can include classwork and homework.

Content of Course: Art has a vital role to play in developing creativity and sensory motor co-ordination in everyone.

Projects include a range of drawing, experimenting, developing ideas, research and personal outcomes. Using a range of materials is encouraged. Projects can vary from year to year, but in previous years projects have included:

• Year 7 - Colour Theory, Shading, Stained glass windows
• Year 8 - Masks, Fantastic Beasts, Fantasy Rooms
• Year 9 - Portraiture, Food and Drink, Independent Project

All projects are contextualised and include art history, theory, so students have an awareness of their importance / place in society / history. Students are taught art vocabulary from year 7 and how to use it properly when discussing work.

Key Stage 4

Qualification: GCSE in Art, Craft and Design

Syllabus: AQA

Assessment: There are four main assessment objectives. These are:

• development of ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources,
• refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes,
• record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses,
• present a personal and meaningful response that realizes intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language

Students choose a starting point from 7 concepts given by AQA.

Coursework: Coursework is ongoing over the two year course. Students work on three projects which are submitted for assessment. In Year 10 all students complete an “Identity” project which includes research of other artists/art movements. In Year 11 students are given a second project, entitled "fragments" which with the Identity project is worth 60% of their GCSE grade. In January Year 11 are set the Externally Set Assignment which is set by AQA and worth 40% of their GCSE grade. Annotations and contextualising is an important part of the course, where students demonstrate their opinions and historical knowledge using correct art vocabulary.

Content of course: Students are encouraged to take ownership of their work and become their own artist. There is no house style. Students demonstrate a personal journey throughout their sketchbooks where they record, experiment and develop ideas, often showing problems and making exciting discoveries. Students also work outside their sketchbooks in 2 and 3 dimensions.

All final projects end in a final piece.