Art

Aims

Art encourages self-expression and creativity and develops critical thinking. It has the potential to build our pupils’ confidence and their sense of individual identity (The Tate). It can be an expressive tool to support the mental health and wellbeing of our pupils.

https://www.place2be.org.uk/our-services/services-for-schools/the-art-room/

A high-quality art and design curriculum engages, inspires and challenges our pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to:

Experiment
Invent
Create

As pupils progress, they can think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design. They learn know how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity, and wealth of our communities.

We aim to do this by teaching fundamental skills in mark making, colour theory, analysis and creating personal response work to art topics and themes. Our pupils research artists and styles of art and are introduced to art history at the start of each unit.

Year 7 students compete in creating student planner cover and practice skills of still art drawing on a cross curricular visit to the botanical gardens. Year 8 student make creative Eid cards as part of a community care package. KS3 students are selected for Artist of the Month Award, encouraging them to develop their unique style and interpretation.

Overview of our Art curriculum

Students research art forms and artists at the start of their units. Our students develop independent research skills, analysis and evaluative skills. They use their in-depth understanding of the topic to produce work and critically assess each other’s work. Consequently, they are inspired to develop their own style.

Art lessons have several cross-curricular links; history, geography, mental health and wellbeing, literacy and mathematics, and study of different perspectives in buildings, architectures and grid methods.

We expose students to artists from various ethnic backgrounds, neurodiversity and disabilities as well art forms from around the world, such as Islamic art, aboriginal art and African Art. Students explore mental health and wellbeing through study of Van Gogh and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

	Year 7	Year 8	Year 9	Year 10	Year 11
*Autumn term 1*	Introduction to the Elements of Art. Covering: Karla Horst, Line, Shape and Tone	Study of Form and Tone in Cityscapes – Observational Drawing Covering: cityscape with Stephen Wiltshire, Lucinda Rogers and tonal values	Embedding Drawing skills Covering: Stephen Travers, Perspective, John Piper and buildings.	Extended Project Component 1 Growth and Decay AO1 Develop ideas through investigation	Component 1: mock exam assignment Study from Past Paper Idea explosion of images, photos and notes on theme: ‘Fragments’
*Assessment*	Base line test and Observational drawing	Observational drawing of cityscape	Perspective observational drawing of a building	Portfolio	Personal Portfolio
*Autumn term 2*	The Basics of Colour Covering: Colour wheel and Harmonious colours	Colour Theory Covering: Contemporary Artist Alai Ganuza and in-depth study of colour theory	Colour Mixing & Pattern Painting – Carolee Clark and William Morris Covering; harmonious, monochromatic, and complementary colours.	Growth and Decay AO3 Record observations relevant to work as it progresses Vincent Van Gogh – Sunflowers Georgia O’Keeffe – Shells	Component 1: mock exam assignment AO2 Refine and Explore AO3 Record Ideas AO4 Present · Experimenting · Presenting personal response
Formative assessment	Colour abstract painting	Abstract painting	Abstract still life painting	Portfolio	Final Piece (Mock Exam 5hrs +)
*Spring term 1*	Hundertwasser and Birmingham Covering contextual art and Architecture/ buildings in Birmingham	STILL LIFE Covering: Jacqueline Poirier and Sarah Graham. Sweets and food	Surrealism Covering: Salvador Dali and Georgia O’Keeffe Painting techniques with watercolour	Growth and Decay AO2 Refine and Explore AO4 Present · Experimenting Presenting personal response	Component 2: Externally Set Assignment 12 weeks to complete a project following one of the directed themes provided by the exam board. Assessment Objectives 1, 2, 3 and 4
*Assessment*	Artist research page	Artist research page	Observational drawing	Final Piece	Exam Portfolio
*Spring term 2*	Hundertwasser patterns and Zen tangles Covering: Patterns, textures, zen tangles Develop final piece	Sweets tooth – Final Piece (Still life) Covering: Mixed Media crayons, water colour paint and pen drawings. Final Piece on Plate	Oil Pastel Cubism Covering: Cubist techniques: Study Artist Mary Swanzy. Oil pastel techniques, Plants and flowers (Flora and Fauna).	Extended Project 2 Component 1 Cityscapes project – Paul Kenton and Ruth Allen AO1 and AO2 Developing (research) Recording	Component 2: Externally Set Assignment Investigation Experimentation Personal Response Preparation for 10-hour period of sustained focus
*Assessment*	Final piece	Final piece	Research and final piece	Portfolio	Exam Portfolio
*Summer Term 1*	Pop Art History Covering: Roy Lichtenstein and Yayoi Kusama,	Landscape & Mark Making. Covering: Georges Seurat, Van Gogh, David Hockney, and Monet Painting techniques	GCSE Practise Project: Contemporary Surrealism and natural form Covering: developing own response: Study of immortality and Contemporary Artist Norman Duenas	Cityscapes Project AO2 Refine and Explore AO3 Record Ideas AO4 Present Refining Experimenting	Component 2: Externally Set Assignment Complete Final GCSE Piece: 10 hour externally set task on Canvas or Paper Experimentation Personal Response
*Assessment*	Sketchbook work	Sketchbook work	Research – GCSE AO 1,2,3	Portfolio	GCSE External Moderation Visit
*Summer Term 2*	Pop Art 3D Sculpture and Patterns Covering: 3D Shapes and repetition of Patterns In between projects: 1. Design School Planner 2.Islamic geometric art	Texture and Landscape Covering: Composition and implied and real texture Final Piece In between projects: 1. Design School Planner 2. Islamic calligraphy	GCSE Practise Project: Contemporary Surrealism and natural form Covering: developing own response: Final Piece inspired by Artist Norman Duenas and Sarah Graham	Cityscapes Project AO4 Present a personal and meaningful response A final piece of chosen city produced over several hours
*Formative Assessment*	3D Final piece	Final piece	Final piece GCSE AO4 – Present	Final Piece on Canvas or Paper