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Art, Design, and Technology

We teach art and design through a range of disciplines which allows our students to interpret, observe and make sense of the world and its cultural histories. As Gombrich stated, “There is no such thing as Art- there are only artists”. All students are artists regarded as creative individuals whose creativity is further stimulated by a diverse and exciting curriculum. A stimulating and safe environment encourages students to experiment with media and learn new skills, whilst developing their aesthetic sensibilities.

Principles

In Art and Design students will learn their subjects by:

Developing their understanding of cultural contexts through critical analysis and evaluation and comparing the work of artists, designers, themes, styles and movements.
Refining a wide range of transferable skills such as drawing, painting, cooking, building, sculpting, printmaking, measuring and working to a specific brief.
Attending art and design exhibitions and museums outside of school and scrutinising work in situ.
Refining, evaluating and presenting their work to the highest standard.
Expressing themselves within their work as part of a creative journey.
Revising thinking skills and problem-solving skills creatively.

Key Stage 3 content

We look at core skills in art & design and build on prior learning. Students learn about colour theory, Matisse, still life, surrealism in art. In design technology: students also cover 12 weeks each of Food and Design Technology. Projects include a trinket box, surreal room, a pivot lamp and a range of delicious dishes to cook. Lessons are interactive, exciting and fun. Lessons are delivered with demonstrations, examples and use of the IPEVO camera to show a new skill to a class live. Students learn about art and design history, the Live Well Plate, design principles, as well as a range of techniques and processes that will expand and push their creative boundaries in preparation for higher study.

Key Stage 4 content

GCSE Fine Art & GCSE Photography

Students create three sustained pieces, as well as smaller responses in their sketchbooks. Students taking photography will create a digital sketchbook to go alongside their sustained pieces

Lessons are innovative and creative; this enables students to develop confidence by mastering new skills. Students learn more in depth about art history and movements of art, as well as a range of techniques and processes that will inspire them to go on a learning journey.

Students learn how to write about their work and analyse work in a more detailed way and they are encouraged to take their sketchbooks home to finish pieces and annotate their artwork. Students develop their 3D & 2D skills, 2D relief, printmaking as part of the course and they learn in depth about expected presentation at GCSE. There are annual trips to exhibitions in years 10 & 11. Students are encouraged to enter competitions and have a dedicated board of work at the annual art exhibition.

GCSE Design Technology

In Design Technology students have full introductions to software and more specialist equipment. Students learn theory topics including Materials, Processes Techniques and Manufacturing. Students are given around 8 months to research, experiment, develop and create a final product.

GCSE Food and Nutrition

Students study food science and the importance of nutrition; this covers all types of diets, topics include: the effects of fats and sugars, alternative recipes, the Eat Well Plate, where food comes from and raising agents.

BTEC Tech award Level 2 in 3D Design

Students are introduced to specialist pathways in design through investigations into 3D- modelling techniques. They will record formal elements by applying developing knowledge of a range of cutting, shaping and forming techniques with timbers, polymers and metals. Students will work to real client briefs from a range of contexts applying techniques for effective communication in 2D and 3D. A final project at the end of year 11 will encompass learnt designing and making skills in a professionally complete 3D product.

Key Stage 5 content

A level Photography
A level 3D Design
A level Fine Art

Lessons are innovative in order to enable students to develop confidence by mastering new skills. Students learn about art and design history and movements of art, as well as a range of techniques and processes. Students are encouraged to work in a variety of scale and materials with high independence, which prepares them for further study and the world of work. A 1000 word minimum extended essay accompanies their portfolio of work in addition to the annotation and critical analysis that is created alongside their personal investigations.

Students develop their drawing, photoshop, photography, and presentation skills. Planning, designing, modelling, experimenting are taught but extended by the students themselves.

There are annual trips to exhibitions in years 12 & 13. Students are encouraged to enter competitions such as the prestigious ARTiculation Prize, and students have the opportunity to show their work at a large Harris exhibition and our own annual Art and DT exhibition. Students are widely encouraged to apply for Art and Design schools if appropriate, and the department is highly successful in helping students to receive offers from universities such as UAL, UCL, UCA, Bournemouth University of Arts, The Architectural Association, Falmouth Arts, LSBU, Dundee, Kingston, Winchester School of Art and Middlesex University in subjects such as Fine Art, Illustration, Civil Engineering, Fashion, Photography and Architecture.

Extra Curricular

We run a DT making club, a robotics club, a baking club and a year 9 photography club through parts of the year. Figure drawing club is for students in KS4 and KS5.

We participate in The Big Draw, the ARTiculation Prize, and many fundraising events.