Art
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Please see our art curriculum content below
Key Stage 3
Key Stage 3
Art in Key Stage 3 provides students with opportunities to develop their creativity and ideas, and increase proficiency in their execution. Students will develop a critical understanding of artists, the work of other cultures and designers, expressing reasoned judgements that can inform their own work.
In line with the National Curriculum the teaching of art at Nicholas Breakspear aims to ensure that all students:
- Use a range of techniques to record their observations in sketchbooks, journals and other media as a basis for exploring their ideas
- Use a range of techniques and media, including painting
- Increase their proficiency in the handling of different materials
- Analyse and evaluate their own work, and that of others, in order to strengthen the visual impact or applications of their work
- Understand how other artists, designers and cultures respond to a range of themes such as the environment, nutrition and personal identity.
Topics taught in key stage 3
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Students develop skills in the following assessment areas.
- AO1: Developing ideas and researching artists
- AO2: Experimentation with different ideas and materials
- AO3: Visual work (drawing and recording)
- AO4: Final piece and evaluation.
Key Stage 4
Key Stage 4
Subject Contact: Mr P Hearn
Course OutlineIs this the right subject for me? GCSE Art is the right subject for you if you enjoy: Developing your visual skills and engaging with the creative process of art, craft and design Developing and refining ideas: drawing, painting, print-making, collage, mixed media & clay work Visits to galleries and museums. Experimenting and taking risks with your work and learning from your experiences. It’s really important that you have a passion for the subject and a desire to know more about contemporary art and how to use art materials and processes to develop and express your own ideas. The course will give you the skills to enjoy, engage with and produce visual arts throughout your life. What does the course involve?You will develop your visual skills and build a portfolio of work by completing a wide range of activities and in-depth assignments. Throughout the course you will: Develop and explore ideas Select and experiment with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes Record your ideas, observations and insights Present personal and meaningful responses |
AssessmentComponent 1: Personal Portfolio This component is worth 60% of your GCSE. You will produce a portfolio of work based on tasks agreed Component 2: Externally Set Assignment This component is worth 40% of your GCSE. You will produce preparatory studies over 12 weeks and a final piece based on a theme set by Edexcel, which will take 10 hours in the art-room. Each component is assessed out of 72 marks against the four Assessment Objectives. |
Career ProgressionGCSE Art teaches a visual language and many important life skills such as problem solving, communication and critical thinking skills, which will prepare you for further study and the world of work, regardless of the subjects or careers you wish to pursue. As a subject in its own right Art leads to opportunities in many areas. Careers involving Art are extensive and can involve Architecture, Advertising, Art History, Theatre Design, Ceramics, Clothing, Communications, Community Art, Conservation, Costume, Dance, Decorative Arts, Directing, Documentary, Drama, Fashion, Interior Design, Jewellery, Journalism, Media Arts, Model-making, Painting, Photography, Publishing, Sculpture, Teaching, Television Production and Textiles, to name a few. |
For further information regarding the specification please follow the link:
Key Stage 5
Key Stage 5
Course Content
Component 1: Art & Design Course work
Practical work/Personal Study
Linking your own practical work with a broader study of the world of art, craft and design. This involves seeing pieces of art, architecture or design on a first hand basis. There are trips to the Tate Britain Art Gallery in London and you are encouraged to research your own ideas through individual visits.
Component 2: Externally Set Assignment
A question paper will be given to you early in the spring term in the second year of the course, giving you a specific theme to work on. This will be taken as a formal 15 hour examination at the end of the A Level course, and represents the culmination of your work so far.
Learning Methods and Assessment
You will experience teacher directed sessions. You will be working with a number of different techniques at A Level. These will include oil painting, formal observational drawing, print-making and mixed–media work.
A number of trips will also be organised by the department. The course is predominantly student-centred, with each individual developing their own lines of enquiry and distinctive style.
Component 1 60% A Level
Component 2 40% A Level
Expectations of Students
The course is designed to enable individuals to follow their own particular interests, so a great deal of independent study will be expected. You must be able to work on your own outside the classroom sessions.
This requires a great deal of self-discipline, so a willingness to spend extra time preparing studies and
developing your ideas is important. You also need enthusiasm and commitment to enable you to create
original and exciting work!
Careers Prospects
The course offers practical skills suitable for a variety of careers. The range of art, craft and design courses available in higher education is vast and ranges from advertising , animation, architecture, textiles related courses, computer aided design, costume, fashion, fine art, graphics, illustration, industrial design, media studies, model-making and marketing, to name a few.
For more information contact Mr P Hearn
Awarding Body: Edexcel
Entry Requirements
Grade 5 or above in GCSE Art. APS 5+