Art in Primary

We use Art units of work provided by Twinkl, Hamilton Trust, Kapow and Oak Academy, designed specifically for primary pupils, to ensure our lessons consistently meet the aims of the national curriculum.

Over a rolling programme our topics include:

KS1 – Colour chaos, portraits, LS Lowery, Nature Sculptures, Fabricate, Let’s sculpt, sculptors – Joan Miro, Landscapes and Cityscapes, Insects, Kandinksy, Lenaordo da Vinci inspired work, Textile art, Oceans and Seas, Carnival of the Animals, Digital Artists, Exploring Lines and Shape, Sculpture, 3D Play.

KS2 – Seasonal Changes Weather Art, Famous for More than Five Minutes, Collage – Meet the Designers, Sculptors, Painters, River Art inspired by Monet, Autumn Sketching, British Artists, Bodies, Insects, European Artists, Fruits and Vegetables, Wildlife, Plants and Flowers, Ancient Egypt, The Seaside, South and Central American Art and Northern American Art.

Art in Year 7

Basic Drawing Skills

Year 7 Art curriculum is formed around 5 mini projects concentrating on basic art skills, techniques and how to be inspired by artists. The first project concentrates on learning basic drawing skills, how to shade, add tone and mark make. This leads to observational drawing and how to ‘Look, think, draw’ through a mini shell project using the skills learnt. We also look at the formal element pattern and how to form them in order to create a
‘Zentangle’ shell design.

Colour Theory

Colour Theory is recapped looking at the colour wheel and its meaning. We practice how to blend and mix primary and secondary colours and experiment with harmonious and opposite colours. We learn how to paint colour strips, gradually changing the colour from one tone to the next. This helps the pupils when they create abstract landscapes in the style of artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee and Robert Delaunay.

Carle and Gaudi

The last two projects are artist based; we create 2D and 3D work in the style of the illustrator Eric Carle creating a collaged 2D butterfly and a 3D butterfly. The collage paper is made and decorated by the pupils before they cut and stick them into a butterfly pattern. The last project is the Gaudi Fish project looking at Antonio Gaudi and his famous mosaics in Barcelona, from this we create cardboard and paper mâché fish with a mosaic style to decorate.

Art in Year 8

Journey to School

Year 8 Art Curriculum is formed around 3 projects that follow a sequence of lessons starting with initial research, artist/culture research pages, creating mood boards to inspire ideas, developing ideas, experimenting with art materials and creating a final piece of art with a specific theme. We start the year focusing on the artist Hundertwasser and the project ‘Journey to School’. We look at symbols, patterns and colour and create work in the style of the artist. After experimenting with art materials and what they can do the pupils design stamp ideas with the theme ‘Journey to school’.

African Art

The second project is African Art – Patterns and 3D Masks. We research African Art and tribal patterns, develop designs using a range of materials and use safe print to create repeated patterns using printing inks. African masks are researched, designs created and then 3D techniques are used in the form of cardboard and paper mâché to create a final mask.

Flannimals

The third project is Flannimals – Aliens Vs Monsters based on the book ‘Flannimals’. The pupils will research the different creatures from the Flannimals book and then develop a range of aliens or monsters in their own style. These monsters are then taken from 2D drawings and turned into 3D visualisations using clay and glazes.

Art in Year 9

Pop Art – In the style of…

Year 9 Art Curriculum is formed around 3 projects and encourages pupils to use an artist/culture as inspiration and begin to form their own style using a range of art materials and techniques. The first project is Pop Art – In the style of… project. We research Pop Art and create work in the style of Jasper Johns, Andy Goldsworthy and Roy Lichtenstein. The work created will be in both 2D and 3D techniques.

Surrealism and Abstract

The second project is Surrealism and Abstract Art. For surrealism we look at the artist Ben Heine and his surreal images created through photos and drawings collaged together. We then create our own surreal work in the style of the artist. The Abstract Art project is based around the work of Pablo Picasso and his imaginative portraits, we create work in 2D leading onto a 3D Abstract portrait using card and paper mâché.

3D Bug Project

The pupils will explore the theme of 3D Bugs, developing their observational drawing skills by studying a range of bugs and experimenting with different art materials. They will design their own 3D bug creations and make sculptures using cardboard, paint and other found materials. Pupils will also plan and illustrate the steps involved in creating a bug from wire and papier-mâché. Working independently or collaboratively, they will develop their construction skills, learning how papier-mâché can strengthen and support their wire structures. Throughout the project, pupils will regularly analyse and evaluate their work, making improvements as their sculptures develop and building confidence in their creativity and problem-solving skills.

Art in Year 10

 All pupils in KS4 complete the WJEC Entry level certificate in Art and Design. Over Year 10 and year 11 the pupils will complete 3 of the units from the following.

Printmaking – Shape and Pattern For this Printmaking unit we use the theme of Shape and Pattern, mainly concentrating on Under the microscope and Aboriginal art shapes and patterns. Pupils will explore a range of artists, craftworkers and designers to inspire their creative work. They will respond to observations and experiences, investigating how shapes, patterns and visual elements such as colour, texture, line, form, space and tone can be used effectively in printmaking. Pupils will develop their practical skills by experimenting with a variety of materials, tools and techniques, including monoprinting, block printing and lino printing. They will generate and refine ideas, exploring different approaches to create interesting and effective prints. Finally, pupils will draw on their individual strengths and the skills they have developed to produce a final print outcome that demonstrates their creativity, technical understanding and personal style.

Ceramics – The Animal Kingdom  For this Ceramics unit the theme is the Animal Kingdom. Pupils will explore the work of artists, craftworkers and designers to inspire their own ceramic creations. They will observe and record the shapes, forms, patterns and textures found in the animal world, using visual and tactile research to develop their ideas. Pupils will experiment with a range of ceramic materials, tools and techniques, exploring visual elements such as colour, line, shape, form, pattern, texture and tone. They will develop, adapt and refine their designs as they learn to manipulate clay and apply appropriate ceramic processes. Finally, pupils will create and present a resolved ceramic outcome inspired by the animal kingdom, demonstrating their creativity, technical skills and growing confidence in working with clay.

Painting and Drawing- Portraits For the Painting and Drawing unit we concentrate on portraits. Pupils will explore a range of artists and designers to inspire their own creative work. They will develop observational drawing skills, learning how to use proportions and grid lines to accurately represent facial features. Pupils will experiment with a variety of materials, tools and techniques, exploring visual elements such as colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form, space and tone. They will investigate realistic, abstract and Pop Art styles, responding to observations and experiences to develop ideas for their own compositions. Finally, pupils will refine their ideas, build on their individual strengths and apply the skills they have learned to create and present a unique portrait outcome, demonstrating their creativity and developing confidence in painting and drawing.

3D Design – Amazon Rainforest Masks For this 3D unit the pupils base their research and ideas around 3D Carnival Masks, with the theme of the Amazon Rainforest. The pupils are encouraged to complete this project using set tasks which are: Mood board research for the Amazon Rainforest accompanied by a page of drawings/paintings taken from their research. The second mood board focuses on carnival masks, looking at a range of celebrations and traditions where masks are used. We then begin to make a range of 3D models based on our Amazon Rainforest drawings, e.g. how to make flowers/plants from wire, paper mâché, card and clay. We experiment with different techniques and evaluate the outcomes, thinking about what has worked well and what needs to improve. A range of developed designs for masks are created using the technique and style of the pupil’s choice, the one they feel strongest using. A final mask design is then created and is made in 3D using the technique of the pupil’s choice. This project helps the pupils to work with independence and make decisions about creative ideas. Throughout the project the pupils will take photos of their work and create a progress diary showing their work developing.

Options – AQA GCSE Art, craft and Design

Pupils who opt to study GCSE Art, Craft and Design complete three projects over the two-year course, developing their creativity, artistic skills and confidence in working with a range of materials and techniques.

In Year 10, pupils begin with a mini project exploring ‘Identity’, which introduces them to the GCSE learning journey and the process of building an art portfolio. They then embark on a sustained project based on ‘Animals’, which continues into the first term of Year 11. Throughout this project, pupils learn to research and analyse the work of artists and designers, experiment with a variety of materials and techniques, and develop their own creative ideas. They use their research and practical experiments to produce initial ideas, refine and develop their designs, and create a final piece inspired by their chosen animal or animals. This coursework accounts for 60% of the overall GCSE grade.

In January of Year 11, pupils receive their externally set exam paper and choose a question to explore. They then research, experiment and develop their ideas into a supporting portfolio, culminating in a 10-hour practical exam in April or May, during which they produce their final piece or creative outcome. This component accounts for the remaining 40% of the overall GCSE grade.

Throughout the course, pupils are encouraged to explore their individuality, take creative risks and develop their own artistic style while building the practical skills and knowledge needed to succeed in GCSE Art, Craft and Design.

Art in the Sixth Form offers a flexible and personalised approach, with pupils following a range of accreditation pathways tailored to their previous learning, abilities, interests and aspirations.

We currently offer the following pathways:

• GCSE Art, Craft and Design – providing pupils with the opportunity to develop their artistic skills, explore a variety of materials and techniques, and build a portfolio of creative work.
• A-Level Art – enabling pupils to explore ideas in greater depth, develop their own artistic style and produce personal, independent work through research, experimentation and practical exploration.
• AQA Unit Awards – allowing pupils to build a personalised portfolio of accredited units based on their individual interests, ideas and goals. This flexible pathway encourages pupils to explore areas of creativity that are meaningful to them while celebrating their progress and achievements.

Through these varied pathways, we aim to ensure that every pupil has the opportunity to engage with art in a way that is relevant, accessible and inspiring, while developing their creativity, independence, confidence and practical skills.