Visual Arts

In Visual Arts, our aim is for our students to become more visually aware of the world around them. We guide and support all students to think like artists and develop this awareness to identify, inform and explore ideas as they embark upon their personal and creative intentions. During their time here, students have the opportunity to embark on a journey of exploration and experimentation with media, techniques and processes as they develop and express their ideas through the creation of meaningful and eye-catching artwork.

Years 7-9

Year 7

Visual Arts students explore their view of Beauty in Nature through landscapes, wildlife, flowers and portraits. They develop their approach to expressive tonal and colourful mark making and explore the possibilities of traditional and digital collage to compose exciting works of art.

Key Concept- Aesthetics

Global Context- Personal & Cultural Expression

Related Concepts-Representation & Interpretation

Year 8

Visual Arts students initially explore and develop representational imagery before experimenting with more innovative approaches to media. They explore traditional themes of portraiture in exciting new ways through their use of tone, colour and pattern to explore more adventurous and stylised approaches to creating a ‘likeness’.

Key Concept- Change

Global Context- Identities and Relationships

Related Concepts- Representation & Innovation

Year 9

Inspired by Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials novels, students explore the meanings of animals and artefacts within different cultures before exploring ideas for what their personal spirit animal might be that best represents themselves. They explore an exciting range of different media, including digital, to create animal studies and combine these with a portrait of themselves. They then explore 3D sculptural skills in a collaborative project.

Key Concept- Identity

Global Context- personal and cultural expression

Related Concepts- Visual Culture & Expression

Years 10 & 11

GCSE Art and Design (Fine Art) 8202 AQA

Students explore a chosen theme and are guided and supported to form a personal viewpoint. They develop a greater understanding of media, techniques and processes starting with teacher led workshops focussing on creative and technical skills development. As they progress through the course, we hope for them to build in confidence and grow in their aims and ambitions to arrive at thought-provoking and meaningful outcomes.

Throughout Year 10, students create a sustained project covering the 4 Assessment Objectives. At the beginning of Year 11 they undertake a shorter project leading to the creation of an artwork in their mock examination. From January of Year 11, students are planning towards their final examination project in term 5.

Unit 1- Portfolio. The sustained project plus short project building to the mock.

Covers the 4 Assessment Objectives - worth 60% of the final grade.

Unit 2- Externally set examination project.

Covers the 4 Assessment Objectives - worth 40% of the final grade.