Art

The Art department is a vibrant and creative area that is open to all pupils in the school. We want students to experience all aspects of art and over the KS3 years, introducing them to many techniques from painting to etching and Ceramics to photography. We aim to enthuse and encourage the pupils through a range of projects where they will engage with art in its widest form. The pupils are taught the skills to express themselves in visual forms, develop personal projects and ideas and produce final pieces in a range of outcomes.

 

 

This course is for any student that has an interest in art. They do not have to be the best drawer or painter but must have an enquiring mind that wants to understand the visual world. Over the course they will work on a range of projects from still life to organic abstractions employing many techniques, from ceramics to textiles. Drawing and painting are the main focus of the course and every project will build from these skills.

 

 

In the sixth form the students may opt for either Art or Photography or both. The art course is a development from the GCSE and works on building the students understanding of contemporary art and thinking about how their work fits into this. The start the course by learning traditional oil painting techniques and then go on to develop their own project based on a theme. In the A2 course they will learn more about the conceptual side of art and be asked to develop their own course of study with help and guidance from the teacher.

 

 

The photography course is for any student who is interested in the visual world. They need no experience before they start the course and are taken back to basics to learn how to look and create an image using light. They start in the darkroom learning traditional techniques and then move onto digital and Photoshop. They develop their own project through the course by looking at a range of artists and photographers to produce a final exhibition in the summer term. During the A2 course they look more at the conceptual side of photography and how to present their work within a gallery setting.

 

In both these AS/A2 courses there is an examination in the summer term set by the examination board where the students have 8 weeks to develop a project to a final outcome. This is 40% of the final marks.

 

 

There are many opportunities for students to get involved in art outside of lessons. Each lunchtime there are clubs, which include ceramics, print making and photography. There are special events throughout the year such as the Big Draw, Valentines Cards, Amnesty Christmas cards and Fair Trade Bunting. The department also runs after school classes in life drawing for years 10-13.

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