Art

Art and design is part of everyone's life. Art has universal appeal to the mind, sense and the imagination. A good Art and Design education develops the intellect, heightens aesthetic sensibility, stimulates creative ability and enriches our lives. It provides abundant opportunities for pupils to experience a sense of enjoyment and wonder, to communicate their ideas and feelings visually and to exploit their natural curiosity of the world around them. Art and design can foster a sense of involvement in and a responsibility for the natural and man made environments by developing visual awareness and influencing values. It can provide a stimulus for exploring and appreciating other cultures and developing critical judgment. Art and Design can make a unique contribution to the whole pupil, encouraging the development of worthwhile attitudes, such as co-operation, flexibility, commitment, perseverance and tolerance leading to a respect for other's views.

Key Stage 3
All pupils follow the key stage 3 course of study, a single period (60 minutes per week). Year 7 pupils are taught in form classes with approximately 25 pupils per teaching group. Year 8 and 9 classes have a maximum of 25 pupils per teaching group.

At key stage 3 pupils follow a broad range of Programs of Study. The wide variety of creative and expressive experiences available within Art and Design enables pupils to develop knowledge, skills and understanding, which make an essential contribution to the whole curriculum. These experiences provide pupils with unique opportunities for observing, recording, imagining, and designing, creating, communicating and appreciating.

Structure of Key Stage Three

Each year group has access to :

Each unit of work is one term in duration.
Pupils have one lesson per week and groups are approximately 24 in size.
The following themes are explored in each year group

Key Stage 4

The courses we offer are AQA Unendorsed Art and Design and Applied Art and Design. The schemes of work for both courses have been developed with the following factors in mind:

1. The requirement to address all the assessment objectives as specified in the AQA syllabus for Unendorsed Art.

2. To introduce pupils to a broader range of materials and more complex technical skills.

3. To build on the skills developed at Key stage three in printmaking, 3D and drawing and painting and hence encourage continuity and progression.

4. To continue using the design process, researching, resourcing, designing and making the final outcome in greater depth and with more independence.

5. To encourage students to explore art from other times and cultures in greater depth and with more independence.

6. To encourage students to gain a specific art vocabulary, which they can use to evaluate, analyse, compare and contrast their own work and the work of others.

7. To develop skills in photography and Adobe photoshop.

8. To involve students in the assessment procedure, so that they have a good understanding of their strengths and areas for improvement.

9. To enable students to accept responsibility for their learning by researching independently outside of lesson time, so they are well equipped use lesson time efficiently.

Both GCSE courses offer students the opportunity to work with a variety of new materials and techniques such as acrylic, brusho ink, mod roc, wire, batik, card relief, lino and screen printing, wire welding and carving.

The themes at GCSE include Expressive portrait, Natural and Mechanical, Aboriginal Sea Life and Butterflies, bugs and birds, Celebration and Healthy Eating.

Assessment Coursework 60%, exam 40%. All work is marked by the centre and externally moderated by AQA.

Exam   Students have a 4 week preparation period in which to research and develop a given theme to produce during a 10 hour controlled test.

Key Stage 5

The courses have been developed with the following factors in mind:

Structure of the Course

The courses offered are AQA AS/A2 Fine art (Fine Art) 5202B, 6202B and AQA Art Textiles AS/A2. We hope to include AS Photography next year.
Students have five hours per week and the opportunity to work independently in the sixth form studio.
AS Fine art themes include Music/Cubism and “Feast for the Eyes”. AS textiles themes include “Life’s a Beach” bodice and Insect and Plants.
A2 themes are negotiated between the student and teacher and focus on the individual’s interests and strengths.
Students have the opportunity to work with wider variety of materials and techniques and are encouraged to work on a larger, more ambitious scale.

Assessment
Coursework 60%, exam 40%. All work is marked by the centre and externally moderated by AQA.

AS Exam
Students have a 4 week preparation period in which to research and develop a given theme to produce during a 5 hour controlled test.

A2 Exam
Students have a 4 week preparation period in which to research and develop a given theme to produce during a 15 hour controlled test.

Extra Cirricular

The department offers all pupils the opportunity to use the department facilities at lunchtimes for extra support. We also run an after school extension and support class every Wednesday night for Year 10 and 11 pupils. This is well attended and was a contributing factor to our excellent GCSE results. We also run a day workshop during the Easter holidays for exam preparation and coursework improvement.

GCSE students take part in drawing and research activities at Darlington Railway Museum, Yorkshire Sculpture Park and Bowes Museum.

Our Applied GCSE groups work with visiting artists and have created a number of three dimensional pieces as part of their coursework. We have close links with Darlington Arts Centre and have collaborated on a number of projects.

There is annual art trip to Paris, largely for the sixth form to support their A2 coursework units, this is also available for Yr 11 pupils who intend to continue with A’ Level art.

GCSE and A’ Level students assist in painting the sets for the annual school productions. Gifted and Talented students work is selected from Key stage three to be shown in the annual GCSE and A’ Level art exhibition. Pupils are also offered take part in community art projects, which have included murals to be displayed in feeder primary schools.