Art & Design

Art & Design at Wade Deacon High School

Curriculum Aims

The Art curriculum seeks to provide opportunities for all learners to understand and access the creative process, express themselves and work independently to create satisfying outcomes. During this process, learners will develop resilience through an understanding of the frustrations and inconsistencies that will arise while developing ideas and skills, but will be given the freedom to experiment and devise solutions to problems independently. Students will learn about the different properties and qualities of materials, finding out the possibilities and limitations of each resource.

Students will be exposed to a variety of inspirational sources and stimulus from the world around them. They will be inspired by the work of prominent artists, designers and craftspeople from various backgrounds and cultures, who have worked through key points of history, up to and including, current working artists. The Art curriculum offers an enriching experience, with a positive impact on personal well-being and relationships with peers; developing empathy and mutual respect. Students will leave Wade Deacon High School able to think creatively, express themselves, solve problems, self-reflect and develop independent ideas; skills necessary for their next steps in education, training or employment.

Curriculum Overview

At Wade Deacon we nurture creativity, emphasising the importance of sharing ideas and good practice. We encourage self- expression, independence and reflective thinking enabling our students to flourish as well rounded, autonomous practitioners. The visual arts are an ideal conduit to developing creative problem-solving skills, empathy and effective communication.

All students study Art and Design in Years 7 and 8.

Students who opt to take their studies further undertake an assessment project in Year 9 before developing their creative ideas on the AQA GCSE Art, Craft and Design course until December in Year 11. Art and Design is delivered in our purpose built Creative Studios, which are equipped with a range of traditional and digital materials and resources.

GCSE art requires students to generate a portfolio of project work which demonstrates a mix of creative approaches. In January of Year 11 they must plan for an externally-set task undertaken in examination conditions. Preparation time begins in January and the final outcome is undertaken in two 5 hour sessions.
Art and Design is taught in mixed ability groups.

In Years 7 and 8 students receive 2 hours of Art and Design per fortnight. Students in Year 9 receive 3 hours per week, Years 10 and 11 receive 5 hours of Art per fortnight.

Please note- on occasion pupils may undertake a fewer or greater number of projects than outlined below depending on the nature of the task and the requirements of the class and/or the timetable.

Year 7:

Autumn Term

Assessment Project. This will typically include elements of: drawing, colour, pattern and will introduce:
• Researching
• Analysis and Evaluation
• Introduction to Developing Ideas
• Making a final piece
After an initial assessment period, students will study a diverse range of artists and craft-workers developing their skills in drawing, painting and 3-D work. Students will receive instruction on a range of techniques and will have the opportunity to work with a range of materials

Spring Term

Project 2:
• Research
• Analysis and Evaluation
• Developing Ideas
• Making a final piece
Students will build on the skills introduced in the Autumn term but will also encounter new artists, techniques and approaches to the subject.

Summer Term

Project 3:
1. Research
2. Analysis and Evaluation
3. Developing Ideas
4. Making a final piece
Students will build on the skills introduced in the Spring term but will also encounter new artists, techniques and approaches to the subject.

Year 8:

Autumn Term

Mini assessment project.- this will typically include elements of: drawing, colour, pattern and will include elements of:

1. Researching
2. Analysis and Evaluation
3. Introduction to Developing Ideas
4. Making a final piece 

Project 1:  This will continue to develop artistic skills and build upon the four processes revisited in the assessment.

Spring Term

Project 2:
1. Research
2. Analysis and Evaluation
3. Developing Ideas
4. Making a final piece
Students will build on the skills introduced in the Autumn term but will also encounter new artists, techniques and approaches to the subject.

Summer Term

Project 3:
1. Research
2. Analysis and Evaluation
3. Developing Ideas
4. Making a final piece
Students will build on the skills introduced in the Spring term but will also encounter new artists, techniques and approaches to the subject.

Year 9

Overview

Students study a range of designers and art practitioners from a variety of backgrounds and eras. A wider range of techniques are introduced and drawing, painting and 3-D work is revisited in greater depth. Students will be given more freedom to develop ideas, styles and methods of working as the year progresses.. Homework is essential in establishing independent practices and ensuring depth of knowledge and mastery of artistic techniques.
Please note- on occasion pupils may undertake a fewer or greater number of projects than outlined below depending on the nature of the task and the requirements of the class and/or the timetable.

Autumn Term

Introduction to the GCSE course including the AQA examination board assessment criteria.
Skills Assessment Project. This will typically include elements of: drawing, painting, colour and working at different scales. This project will familiarize pupils with the requirements and standards required when undertaking the GCSE course:
1. Researching- gathering inspirational stimuli
2. Analysis and Evaluation
3. Generating and Developing Ideas
4. Experimenting with materials
5. Selecting an appropriate final idea
6. Making a final piece

Spring Term

Project 1:
This is designed by the class teacher and will broaden subject knowledge whilst building on skills and techniques. Independent working practices are developed.
1. Researching- gathering inspirational stimuli
2. Analysis and Evaluation
3. Generating and Developing Ideas
4. Experimenting with materials
5. Selecting an appropriate final idea
6. Making a final piece

Summer Term

Project 2:
This is designed by the class teacher and will broaden subject knowledge whilst building on skills and techniques. Independent working practices are developed.
1. Researching- gathering inspirational stimuli
2. Analysis and Evaluation
3. Generating and Developing Ideas
4. Experimenting with materials
5. Selecting an appropriate final idea
Making a final piece

Year 10

Overview

In continuing their artistic journey pupils revisit key skills and techniques, encounter new working practices and build their confidence and proficiency when generating project ideas independently.

Please note- on occasion pupils may undertake a fewer or greater number of projects than outlined below depending on the nature of the task and the requirements of the class and/or timetable.

Autumn Term

Project 1:
This is designed by the class teacher and will broaden subject knowledge whilst building on skills and techniques. Independent working practices are developed.
1. Researching- gathering inspirational stimuli
2. Analysis and Evaluation
3. Generating and Developing Ideas
4. Experimenting with materials
5. Selecting an appropriate final idea
6. Making a final piece

Spring Term

Project 2:
This is designed by the class teacher and will broaden subject knowledge whilst building on confidence with skills and techniques. Independent working practices are developed.
1. Researching- gathering inspirational stimuli
2. Analysis and Evaluation
3. Generating and Developing Ideas
4. Experimenting with materials
5. Selecting an appropriate final idea
6. Making a final piece

Summer Term

Project 3:
This is designed by the class teacher and will broaden subject knowledge whilst building on mastery of skills and techniques. Independent working practices are developed.
1. Researching- gathering inspirational stimuli
2. Analysis and Evaluation
3. Generating and Developing Ideas
4. Experimenting with materials
5. Selecting an appropriate final idea
6. Making a final piece

Year 11

Overview

In continuing their artistic journey pupils revisit key skills and techniques, encounter new working practices and build their confidence and proficiency when generating project ideas independently.

Please note- on occasion pupils may undertake a fewer or greater number of projects than outlined below depending on the nature of the task and the requirements of the class and/or timetable. Additionally, if there is sufficient quantity of work the class teacher may elect to spend the Autumn term refining and improving elements of coursework already completed in years 9 and 10.

Autumn Term

Project 1:
This is designed by the class teacher and will broaden subject knowledge whilst building on mastery of skills and techniques. Independent working practices are developed.
1. Researching- gathering inspirational stimuli
2. Analysis and Evaluation
3. Generating and Developing Ideas
4. Experimenting with materials
5. Selecting an appropriate final idea
6. Making a final piece

Spring Term

AQA Externally Set Task- Research and development work
This is selected by the pupil from a range of starting points provided by the examination board. Pupils are encouraged to develop ideas which utilise techniques and subject matter which inspires them. They must develop a successful project which contains the criteria introduced during year 7 and which has been built upon throughout the school experience:
1. Researching- gathering inspirational stimuli
2. Analysis and Evaluation
3. Generating and Developing Ideas
4. Experimenting with materials
5. Selecting an appropriate final idea

Summer Term

AQA Externally Set Task- Final Outcome(s):
This is undertaken across 10 hours in examination conditions. Pupils create their final outcome based on the development work they undertook in the Spring Term. There are two 5 hour sessions.
Final completion of a portfolio of evidence (coursework). Pupils will work with their teachers to appropriately present their best work form the course.