Art

“Art does not reproduce what we see; rather, it makes us see.”
(Paul Klee, Artist)

Aims of the Department

Primarily concerned with visual and tactile modes of expression, Art and design offers students another mode of communication to enable all students to use their skills and creativity to express ideas, feelings and achieve aesthetic understanding of their own and other cultures.

Lower School or KS3

Year 7

Through three major units of work we aim to expand the students range of media, skills and experiences in Art. At the same time we will extend their understanding of art concepts, movements and begin to develop research skills. Each unit is individually assessed and the end of year mark is based on these assessments.

Year 8

Concepts and techniques are explored through drawing painting, sculpture and graphic projects this year. The use of ICT in Art is expanded. End of year assessments are based on unit marks throughout the year.

Year 9

In their third year our students will deepen their understanding of 20 century art movements and begin to explore the concept of abstraction through drawing and mixed media approaches. In the Spring term they will undertake their major key stage3 unit which will result in a highly informed personal response supported by a folio of research and developmental work. This will form the basis of their end of key stage 3 level

Work by lower school students is displayed throughout the art block and outside the lower school office.

Upper School or KS4

We presently follow the popular AQA Art & Design Unendorsed course. Students are assessed on their ability to record observations and ideas, research and analyse work of others, develop a personal response and refine use of media and techniques

Students make great use of the rooms at lunchtime and after school to cope with the demands of this course where 60% of the final grade comes from 2 Units of coursework and 40% from the external practical assignment.

GCSE groups presently complete a drawing and painting unit in the 4th year and a sculpture unit in the 5th year. A Summer term visit to a gallery or sculpture park and subsequent work will support this coursework.

Work by upper school students is always displayed in and around the school. In June there is an annual exhibition of GCSE work.

Sixth Form or Post 16

Our A level students have the benefit of their own spacious art studio. This provides them with their own individual work space, display area and storage cupboard. Students make extensive use of this studio outside of normal teaching hours and this really shows in the ambitious nature of their work and their excellent high grades. There is a study visit each Autumn term, to one of the great Art cities of the world. In recent years this has included London, Barcelona and New York. Students complete 2 units of coursework a year and an external practical assignment too.

Work by Sixth formers is displayed around the school throughout the year with an annual exhibition in June.

Career Opportunities

Most students who follow Art through to A level will go onto pursue a related career path. In the past students have gone on to study Architecture, fashion, photography, textiles, History of Art courses at University. A qualification in Art enables you to use a very high level of creativity in a wide field of other areas also such as Media, advertising, public relations.

Additional Information

The Art department thrives on the commitment from students and staff alike. Many students opt to work beyond lesson times – whether it's a first year art club creating Christmas decorations, through to A level students working from a life model or with a local artist. The department also encourages our older students to attend link courses at Harrogate College which take place after school and offer more specialist teaching in a variety of Art and Design disciplines.

Sixth form students have also the opportunity to strengthen their understanding of the way artists work through our visiting artists. Work by our students has recently been exhibited in Poland as part of the school’s role in the Cormenius Project

Internet links

General Research

artguide.org
tate.org.uk
nationalgallery.org.uk
artcyclopedia.com
kevinsplayroom.co.uk

Others

digital-collaborations.co.uk - contemporary artists
artlex.com - a comprehensive dictionary
cogapp.com/uk - detailed guide to public collections in the UK
YSP.co.uk - Yorkshire Sculpture Park