Welcome to the Art Department's web pages! We are a lively, creative and dynamic department, promoting the development of visual language and creative thinking amongst its students.
Art is a basic, unique form of experience; central to it, the development of sensibilities based on observations, imagination and conception. These are found in the senses of touch, sight, feeling, instinct and intellect. In order to effect this development, students need an understanding of the elements of visual language through direct experiences.
Zoe Earles
Head of Art Department
Key Stage 3
Art & Design at Key Stage 3 is challenging, stimulating and full of creative discoveries. The Art Department offers a course where students can work in a variety of approaches, both two- and three-dimensional and on different scales. Work includes drawing, painting, print-making, mixed media, sculpture, paper mache, textiles and Computer Aided Art & Design. Students are encouraged to become more independent in their approach to their studies in preparation for examination years. The course is designed to build upon previous experiences whilst also exploring new areas and approaches to the subject. The following are typical of some of the tasks that a student may be required to do;
- Produce drawings from direct observation based on a particular theme;
- Research and investigate an artist/ style/ movement/ culture as a means of inspiration;
- Produce design work and develop ideas through practising with different materials and techniques;
- Develop critical and evaluative skills based on one’s own and others’ work, becoming confident in the use of specialist vocabulary.
Work is always project based and will differ from one year to the next. Projects have included ‘Food and Drink’, Multi-Cultural patterns, Interlocking Forms, Aboriginal didgeridoo, Fish, Movement to name but a few.
Art isn’t simply about whether or not you can draw……..we aim to develop visual language in all different ways and pride ourselves in making our subject accessible and beneficial to all our students.
Key Stage 4
The department follows the requirements of the OCR examining board. This enables students to further develop skills learnt at Key Stage 3, whilst also continuing to introduce them to new areas of study. Work is project based and will normally take the form of a thematic starting point from which students are free to explore and develop ideas of their own, as well as at times following more prescribed routes of enquiry. Such themes have included ‘Fruit and Veg’, ‘Buildings’, ‘Natural and Man-Made Environments’, ‘Toys and Games’, ‘Other Cultures’, to name but a few.
Students are expected to fulfil four assessment objectives within a coursework unit. This will involve:
- Recording observations, experiences and ideas that are appropriate to intentions;
- Analysing and evaluating images, objects and artifacts showing understanding of context;
- Developing and exploring ideas using a variety of materials, techniques and processes;
- Presenting a personal response that has developed from preparatory studies.
The course is an exciting and explorative journey from start to finish, where students will develop both a visual language and a more dynamic visual awareness of the world around them. It is a challenging course, both creatively and intellectually, where the motivation and interest amongst current students continues to inspire students further down the school.
Key Stage 5
At Key Stage 5 the department offers students the opportunity to work with a variety of materials and techniques, aiming to develop knowledge and understanding in line with examining board requirements. The department uses AQA, offering both AS level and A level UNENDORSED Art & Design. Occasionally, it is necessary to enter students for an endorsed exam. Students are encouraged to work in a variety of materials and techniques, producing preparatory work in sketchbooks and other formats, developing their own ideas towards a final result. Projects such as 'Environments', 'Interaction', 'Ordinary/Extraordinary' are deliberately open ended to encourage students to develop independent ideas and develop their work in a direction of particular interest to them.
Photo Gallery
Click here to see Photo Gallery.