An engineering specialism within a grammar school
Art
“Art does not reproduce what we
see; rather, it makes us see.”
(Paul Klee, Artist)
Aims of the Department
Our curriculum is designed to provide teaching and learning of visual language.
Schemes of work concentrate on the core visual concepts of line tone colour and pattern, form texture etc. with an emphasis on an exciting and varied range of media.
At the core of this fine art approach is the fundamental of drawing as the basis for visual research.
Schemes of work are structured with skills and techniques unwrapped so that students gain confidence in the processes of research, development and experimentation of ideas and utilising critical studies and refining own emerging ideas.
A wide range of media is included from painting, graphic media, collage, surface textures, 2-D and 3-D sculpture, IT and clay.
Lower School or KS3
Year 7
The foundation core concepts of visual language are taught in a range of exciting projects.
Our fantasy imaginary creatures’ project encourages creativity, colour mixing and paint techniques. We conclude the year with 2 natural form clay projects.
Year 8
Visual concepts and techniques are further explored through a project on architecture Differing approaches to the visualising of space are explored from classical perspective to cubism. Linear perspective, mark making surfaces and textures are utilised culminating in a large card sculpture and clay slab textured panels.
Year 9
Our identity project builds upon the above core concepts in loosing at varying approaches to identity, such as Aboriginal and western approaches.
Students study a range of recording from aboriginal mark making symbolic and metaphoric to western realism. This concludes with study of more expressive Expressionist approaches of the twentieth century and the radical approaches of the cubists. All elements contribute to assessment and the awarding of the Key Stage three levels in art and design.
Upper School or KS4
Students study the EDEXCEL unendorsed course in Art and Design this course emphasises the process and core concepts of Art and Design.
Visual research,
Quality of recording
Observation,
Use of critical study,
Strategies appropriate to students work, exploration and development of ideas and refinement of the final piece.
Students begin the course in year10, building confidence in recording key skills in the still life project.
They utilise a broad range of exciting approaches to drawing collage painting, printmaking etc. combined with critical studies of Van Gogh, Cezanne and Cubism in developing own unique final outcomes.
This project is complemented by the sculpture project on natural forms and the figure. The sculpture book and integral visit to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park provide a vital foundation of development of ideas and critical understanding.
An exciting range of materials are developed in mixed media and clay, culminating in a large final piece.
The above two projects represent the course work which is 60% of the final mark.
In February of the fifth year students are given the examination theme set by EDEXCEL. They have eight school weeks to prepare and develop a personal response which is completed in a ten hour examination utilising skills and understanding from the coursework.
A study visit during this period provides vital visuals research and critical study. The Lowery, Liverpool Tate and Crosby beach, Gormley sculptures have been visited recently.
Sixth Form or Post 16
Our students follow the EDEXCEL fine art Endorsed Course at AS and A2 Levels.
Students work in their own spaces in our unique 6th form studio space.
At AS Level we provide and structure a broad course based around the study visit to Cornwall with the themes of Landscape, light, colour, texture and the environment as starting points.
The range of concepts, techniques materials and strategies looked at develop knowledge and understanding beyond GCSE level. Students utilise a range of strategies based upon the work of Ben Nicholson and Peter Lanyon and find their own artistic sensitivities and develop own final pieces using personnel strategies. We develop work in 2-D, painting and collage etc. and 3-D sculpture in mixed media and clay. This represents the course work which is 60% of the final grade.
The E.S.A. or the examination theme is set by EDEXCEL and students have six weeks to prepare a personal response this accounts for the final 40% of the AS mark.
A2 Level
Our A2 course comprises of the coursework which is an annotated sketch book and practical development. Students select artists, pieces and imagery personal to them. Students undertake a structured analysis through a work journal which unwraps each core visual concept in terms of studies analysis and interpretation. This is compounded the art study visit to Paris where the students carry out visual research of their own emerging theme and vital critical study in the broad range of arts available in the city, from Impressionism to Modernism, Abstraction and Cubism.
The practical project emerges from their research and preferred imagery and ways of working. This represents 60% of their final A2 mark. The E.S.A. or examination theme concludes a personal response over eight weeks to prepare a final piece for the examination theme. This represents 40% of the final A2 mark.
Ruth Sturdy U6th
Exam 2009
Crosby Beach 2009
Art Studio
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
