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
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