Art, Design & Technology

Year 7 Art

In Year 7 students are introduced to basic colour theory so that they are able to recognise colour relationships and are able to mix and apply secondary and tertiary colours using watercolour and poster paint. Students begin to learn how to look, observational studies focus on mark making to represent surface. Students begin to explore 3D design and are able to create a relief sculpture. Students study the works of key artists to give context to their own work and that of others and they are introduced to the concept of 20th Century genres (pop Art, Georgia O’Keeffe), non ‘western’ artworks (African Mask and Contemporary pattern Yinka Shoibare) and architectural styles (Harry Potter castles).

Year 8 Art

In Year 8 students explore and are able to use a wider range of media to apply colour, experimenting with paint, oil pastels and collage. Students begin to explore the notion of ‘the self’ and are able to work from observation, expanding their skills in mark making to use tone and shade to give a sense of form. Students expand on their sculpting skills making 3D forms. Students study the works of key artists to give context to their own work and that of others they study a variety of works by early 20th century artists (The Cubists and the German Expressionists), non ‘western’ art forms (Alebrijes) and medieval architecture.

Year 9 Art

In Year 9 students explore a wider variety of drawing styles, workshops based on the theme of natural forms allow us to engage more experimental forms of mark making preparing them for GCSE. Students explore drawing techniques to demonstrate surface, shading, depth and perspective. They are able to mix and apply using a range of techniques hues, tones and shades of colour, making use of colour relationships. Students study the works of key artists to give context to their own work and that of others and they study 19th, 20th and 21st century genres (Hockney Landscapes, The Impressionists, The Surrealists), non ‘western’ artworks (Mexican Day of the Dead, Gyotaku) and architectural styles (Art Deco).

GCSE Art and Graphics (Year 10 & 11)

At the start of their GCSE students begin Year 10 responding to workshop based activities on the theme of identity students begin to develop their own ideas based on teacher led workshops and themes. We focus on the key skills of drawing, revisiting colour theory and making contextual links focussing on a variety of suggested artists. They visit the National Gallery and can begin to understand the purpose of portraiture, symbolism and are able to analyse artworks more independently. Midway through Year 10 they study still life, honing their observation skills, making contextual links through different ears and are able to understand the meaning and symbolism of compositions looking at the development of still life from the Dutch master to the modern era. In Year 11 students will be able to select appropriate and personal responses based on the theme of World Cultures, expanding on their Cultural Still Life project work from Year 10. They will respond to teacher led workshops using their own ideas. Students visit either the British museum or the Pitt Rivers Museum to further explore their own response. They will choose the media and style they are most confident using based on teacher led workshops.

A Level Art, Graphic Communications & Photography (Year 12 & 13)

At the start of Year 12 in Art students are introduced to a wider range of media. They will be proficient in using oils paints (they will have only used acrylics up until now) and will have tried, via teacher-led workshops, a variety of drawing techniques to aid their observation work. They will have expanded their idea of the ‘self’ through life drawing and exploring the history of the figure throughout art history. They will revisit still life and landscapes as well as introducing them to a wider variety of genres. During the year they will begin their personal portfolio taking an independent response to an internally set paper. In Year 13 students continue working on independent themes punctuated by teacher-led workshops. They are able to make contextual links to their own work researching and writing a related study. By the end of their course students will present an independent, personal portfolio of research and a variety of final pieces to consolidate their research.

In Year 12 Photography students are introduced to the core skills of image making with both DSLR and 35mm cameras. They explore and are able to apply to their own work the key skills and concepts of composition, light, lighting, colour, narrative, digital editing skills and the significance and development of photography as a genre. During the year they respond to an internally set paper to begin developing their personal portfolio. Students who study Graphic Communications are introduced to technical skills and concepts around advertising, illustration, branding and information design. Students are required to work in one or more of the disciplines to communicate their ideas. By working across disciplines, they will gain a deeper understanding of specific processes within graphic communication. During the year they respond to an internally set paper to begin developing their personal portfolio.

In Year 13 Art, Photography and Graphic Communication students continue working on independent themes. They are able to make contextual links to their own work researching and writing a related study. By the end of these courses students will present an independent, personal portfolio of research and a variety of final pieces to consolidate their research. This year the exam has been cancelled.

At KS3 students’ study three areas of design technology; Product Design, Textiles and Resistant Materials on a termly rotation with their teacher. Students develop their creativity, technical and practical expertise as well as a range of knowledge and skills in order to allow them to design and make high end products by the end of year 9. Students become critical evaluators and understand how designs and prototypes need testing and developing to suit their own needs as well as needs of other users. Each material area focuses on a design and make project which aims to teach students a wide range of practical skills and theory to help with development of their knowledge.

In Year 7 the projects are of introductory skill based as we have found many of our students have little knowledge of machines and tools at primary school. As the students move up the school we introduce further technologies, more complicated tools and concepts to enable them to make a high end product by the end of Year 9. At KS4 students are able to opt for one of three Edexcel Design and Technology GCSE specialisms - Product Design (papers + boards), Textiles or Resistant Materials (Timbers) Currently students do not have the option to continue studying Design and Technology at KS5, however, in 2022 we hope to reintroduce a Textiles option, following the Art and Design specification

Year 7 Design Technology

In KS3 Design Technology students learn how to follow a design process and complete the stages within it in increasing levels of depth and with growing independence. We aim to provide our students with a wide theoretical understanding of materials and processes as well as developing their practical skills in using those materials and processes. By the end of year 7 we want our learners to know how to carry out different types of research including both primary and secondary sources. They learn how to write a design specification using key terms from the brief. Students are able to draw a range of design ideas and annotate them with teacher prompts regarding construction methods and are introduced to the concept of developing design ideas following peer, self and teacher feedback. Students experience manufacturing final products using a range of materials, machines and tools (mainly hand processes and tools). Students are encouraged to verbally evaluate a final product as well as writing an evaluation listing a range of key points and a point to improve. They use a range of machines with direct supervision, hand tools and equipment. Students are introduced to the impact natural materials have on our environment.

Year 8 Design Technology

By the end of Year 8 we want our learners to plan and conduct primary and secondary research and be able to highlight key points found in their research. They are guided in writing a design specification based on their research findings and are able to produce a range of creative design ideas, annotation begins explaining construction methods as well as materials. Students are able to develop a design idea and understand the purpose of this stage. They are able to manufacture using a range of machines, hand tools and equipment for more complex tasks with limited support and more precision. Students learn to evaluate their final product against a range of specification points. Students learn about a range of manmade materials and the impact that these have upon the environment.

Year 9 Design Technology

By the end of Year 9 our learners are expected to plan and conduct primary and secondary research independently and evaluate findings from research. They need to write specifications that are justified and create design ideas based on a brief and specification. Design work is detailed and annotated to explain construction methods and ideas are developed to reach a final design. Students are able to plan and manufacture using a range of machines, tools and equipment and they evaluate their final products against the design brief and specification criteria. Students understand how a product could be adapted to suit a specific person/range of needs. Students learn about a range of composite materials and consider their appropriate uses and impact upon the environment.

GCSE Design Technology Resistant Materials, Product Design & Textiles (Year 10 & 11)

At Key Stage 4 students have the option to study Design Technology - selecting a specialism of either Resistant Materials, Product Design or Textiles. During the first two terms Design Technology students will work on a range of enquiries into materials and how they are used within the world of Design and Engineering. They will be immersed in the world of materials from wood to SMART glass and they will learn about how materials improve the way we live. Whether they want to be an architect, fashion designer, marketing manager or set designer etc. students will begin to understand how materials affect our design proposals. This work will form an important introduction to the course but more importantly it will provide them with high quality revision materials that will be essential to them in the exam (50% of the final grade) in Year 11.

In the summer term students will be introduced to the `Non Examined Unit` (NEA/coursework) which is worth 50% of their final grade. The examination board will set the theme for the challenge and they will design and make a product that fits into the context given. Students will be permitted to work in any material area they wish and through any context, for example may wish to focus upon architecture, fashion, furniture design etc. They will produce an electronic portfolio of work that contains research, design ideas and modelling. Students will continue working on this until February half term in Year 11.

In the First term of Year 11 students will complete their research study for their NEA. They will have written a design brief, explaining what they intend to make and they will have completed their design specification. In the first part of the spring term students will complete their design and making task for their NEA. This will provide the students with the opportunity to design and develop a high quality, innovative product. The NEA will conclude with testing of the product and full evaluation. In the second part of this term students will be involved in revision for the exam which is worth 50% of their final grade.