Art
The thematic approach used throughout KS3 is designed to allow maximum exploration of a wide range of topics and creates a vehicle to teach basic skills, concepts and critical historical studies. Alongside this students are introduced to a range of media and practical skills in a staged and practical manner. This allows staff to be clear about those skills, processes and experiences a student has covered in any given year and allows them to make use of this knowledge in planning future work. We aim to develop initiative, self-reliance and organisation. For the pupils to be able to select, devise and learn appropriate methods of recording and communicating thoughts, feelings and information.
Thirds
Pupils are introduced to a wide range of topics and are encouraged to work with a variety of materials:
- Colour Theory - Colour wheel, primary, secondary and tertiary colours and basic colour mixing/blending
- Observational Drawings - Using soft pencils to create tone and line
- Art Historical Research - The study of artists, designers and craftspeople to inform and influence the pupils’ work
- Painting - With acrylic paints, using a limited palette of and working on colour mixing and application of paint
- Printing - Experience of drypoint printing techniques
- Collage and mixed media work - Pupils will be encouraged to experiment with a range of materials including, oil pastels, charcoal, inks and paper collage
- 3-Dimensional Work - Pupils will experience a hand building project using clay, learn about firing techniques and simple glazing
Shells
We revisit some areas that were covered in the Thirds but study them in more depth, pupils are encouraged to experiment with techniques more readily and to evaluate, refine and modify work in progress.
- Colour Theory - Looking at tones, tints and shades
- Observational Drawings - Developing measuring skills to help with accuracy and proportion and developing use of tone and line
- Art Historical Research - The study of artists, designers and craftspeople to inform and influence the pupils’ work.
- Painting - With acrylic paints, working on colour mixing and application of paint
- Printing - Experience of drypoint printing techniques or lino cutting and printing
- Collage and mixed media work - Pupils will be encouraged to experiment with a range of materials including, oil pastels, charcoal, inks and paper collage
- 3-Dimensional Work - Pupils will experience a hand building project using clay, plaster, paper or wire
Fourths
The approach changes in the Fourths and we gear the course towards the preparation of GCSE. The emphasis is on experimentation with a range of materials and processes including sculpture, print making, textiles and drawing and painting. We promote the need to improve and focus on the basic skills of recording from observation and the development of the pupils’ own ideas and thoughts into suitable conclusions. They are encouraged to work with more independence and this can take the form of development through sketchbooks, which are an integral part of the course. Pupils are encouraged to work at home on drawing skills and to research projects and artists to influence and inform their work.