An Introduction:

The course embraces National Curriculum guidelines for Key Stage 3 Art and Design. It should be noted that while ‘Art and Design’ is the title of the subject, it should not be confused with ‘Design and Technology’ which is a separate subject. The aim is to extend the boys knowledge, skills and understanding within the subject and stimulate their creativity and imagination. This is achieved through looking at the work of other artists, exploring materials and visual elements, developing their own ideas and evaluating and documenting their progress.

All project work will be organised in an A4 sketchbook / work journal which will be provided. This will document all core skills in observational drawing, visual and critical skills. It will also show how the boys can develop ideas creatively and build a more personal and imaginative response using a range of art materials.

We are also keen to see any personal work done at home other than project work. This may include material gathered from family gallery visits or any other cultural experiences. This material will show evidence of wider involvement in the subject, especially if the pupil is particularly interested in Art and is likely to continue the subject into GCSE, A-level or beyond!

Homework will usually involve continuing work that has been introduced in class, drawing, documentation of work or visual research. Sometimes a homework project may extend over a couple of weeks.

What can parents do to help?

Parents can ensure that pupils come prepared to lessons with a good selection of basic equipment such as a set of sketching pencils (HB to 6B), 30cm ruler, sharpener and eraser. They can also show interest in their son’s art sketchbook and check their homework planner. When working on a project theme, parents could raise their son’s awareness of the kinds of art that are relevant, and even visit museums or galleries to view related artefacts. Boys could also be encouraged to visit appropriate web sites for research.

Making progress…

In Art and Design there are no tests in the usual sense, so revision as such is not applicable. However, in order to achieve the highest level possible it is important to become familiar with the criteria shown on the art assessment profile (AAP) which is attached to the sketchbook as well as any written comments which will provide individual feedback and action points. This is important at each stage of the project but particularly towards the end, when the project will be graded and reviewed as a whole on the AAP sheet which will include a section on “How I could improve” which relates to both your sons attitude to work and his level of attainment.

Brief summary of syllabus

YEAR 7

UNIT 1 – DIAGNOSTIC COURSE

• CORE SKILLS IN OBSERVATIONAL DRAWING
• VISUAL RESEARCH & CRITICAL SKILLS
• HOW TO DEVELOP IDEAS CREATIVELY & IMAGINATIVELY USING A RANGE OF ART MATERIALS
• HOW TO USE A SKETCHBOOK –
(including presentation and evaluation skills)

UNIT 2 – ART FROM ART

IDEAS CAN COME FROM LEARNING ABOUT ART & ARTISTS eg  POP ART, EXPRESSIONISM, SURREALISM etc AS INSPIRATION FOR INDIVIDUAL WORK IN GRAPHICS, PAINTING & COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN

UNIT 3 – POWER DRAWING

LEARNING SKILLS OF PERCEPTION, COMMUNICATION
& INVENTION THROUGH A VARIETY OF DRAWING EXPERIENCES. WORKING INDIVIDUALLY, COLLABORATIVELY & RESPONDING TO DIFFERENT ARTISTIC TECHNIQUES

HOMEWORK is used effectively to reinforce and extend what is learned in school and as a time to research and prepare for their next lesson.

UNIT 4 – NATURAL FORMS

STUDYING THE STRUCTURES AND FORMS FOUND IN NATURE THROUGH DIRECT OBSERVATION AND ABSTRACTION. LOOKING AT THE INFLUENCES ON SCULPTURE AND ARCHITECTUAL DESIGN

UNIT 5 – ART & SOCIETY

LOOKING AT ‘HUMAN IMAGE’ IN SOCIETY AS AN INSPIRATION FOR ART. INDIVIDUAL AND COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS RESEARCHING WORLD AND SUB-CULTURES AS A SOURCE FOR TWO AND THREE DIMENSIONAL ART

UNIT 6 – ART AND LANDSCAPE

LOOKING AT TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY ART WORKS INSPIRED BY LANDSCAPE AND THE ENVIRONMENT. BOYS PRODUCE PERSONAL AND IMAGINATIVE ART USING MIXED MEDIA APPROACHES

AWARD SYSTEM
 Recognitions are given for good progress and significant EFFORT
 Merit certificates are given out at the end of each term for excellence in art
 End of year prize winners

UNIT 7 – HUMAN FORM

THE STUDY OF THE HUMAN BODY IN ART, EXPLORING UNIVERSAL THEMES AND CONTEMPORARY ISSUES THROUGH CRITICAL ANALYSIS, DRAWING, MIXED MEDIA & SCULPTURE

UNIT 8 – THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT

THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT AS A SUBJECT OF STUDY. PERSPECTIVAL AND ILLUSIONISTIC TECHNIQUES USED BY ARTISTS ARE EXPLORED WITH REFERENCE TO GRAPHIC, SCULPTURAL AND ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN