Visual Arts

“Learn the skills like a pro so you can break them like an artist”

Pablo Picasso

 

 

 

 

Subject Staff

Name	Role	Contact
Mrs Stephenson	Head of Visual Arts	Contact
Miss Lilley	Assistant Head Teacher	Contact
Ms Edge	Visual & Performance Arts Technician	Contact

 

 

 

 

In Visual Arts at Central Lancaster High School we recognise the vital role Art plays in creating resilient, confident and curious thinkers. We strive to ensure individuals become independent artists’ who develop a passion and enthusiasm for the subject and are able to interpret artwork and briefs. Above all we offer pupils the opportunity to fully express themselves through the artwork they create and to provide them with a valuable skill set which they will use later on in life.

Intent:

What is Central trying to achieve through it’s Art curriculum?

• To develop practical skills such as drawing, painting and printmaking through using a range of materials
• To critically analyse the Art and Design work of others
• To develop transferrable skills, e.g problem solving, independent learning and presentation skills
• To recognise how contemporary art can impact and affect our everyday lives and choices
• To become aware of the creative industries and the range of job opportunities
• To ensure all students leave with an Art & Design qualification which reflects the best of their ability

Implementation:
In Year Seven and Year Eight pupils are taught Art & Design for three lessons a fortnight and twice a fortnight for Year Nine. During these lessons they are taught practical skills alongside creative thinking, problem solving and the ability to critically analyse the art and design work of others.
Pupils are given the opportunity to understand and explore different cultures, both historical and contemporary through Art which is developed in Year 8 and 9.

The Art & Design curriculum is designed to be challenging and appropriate to each pupil’s stage of development by revisiting and embedding content so pupils become proficient in all aspects of Art & Design. Pupils should develop an understanding of how to use a variety of materials successfully and be able to experiment, reflect and refine what they have created, the vital skills needed to succeed at KS4. Through both key stages pupils are given both.

Class work is supported through targeted homework tasks which are set a minimum of once a fortnight.  Pupils are also given opportunities to improve their literacy skills through formal written evaluations and a variety of starter activities. Work is assessed formally 2 times a term, and pupils are given an opportunity to make improvements in light of their feedback.

 

View Visual Arts Curriculum - Roadmap Overview

 

KS3 overview of units:

	Term 1 Topics	Term 2 Topics	Term 3 Topics	Detailed Overview	Curriculum Roadmap
Year 7	Baseline Basic skills- Drawing  from observation, colour work and analysing the work of other artists.	Science in Art - Experimental drawings and paintings of cells, exploration of surface texture, pattern and colour through the use of stitch and batik.	Masks- Pupils look at both traditional and non traditional masks from different cultures. Pupils will explore texture and pattern and focus on translating their 2D designs into a 3D outcome	View Document	View Document
Year 8	Still Life- Drawing from observation & still life- Pupils focus on the importance of the formal elements in drawing and painting and look at traditional and contemporary still life's to inform their work	Landscapes ( Land ) Pupils focus on studying the traditions of landscape and use traditional and more contemporary textile methods to create their own landscapes such as collage, weaving and felting.	Landscapes ( Sea ) Pupils explore a range of different mixed media drawing techniques based on the theme of ‘Sea’	View Document	View Document
Year 9	Portraits-  Pupils are taught the basics of drawing the structure of the face and features accurately. They will look at the work of famous artists from western/non-western cultures and create a portrait based on their research	Portraits/Architecture Both these schemes provide evidence towards their GCSE projects	Architecture – Pupils focus on creating accurate drawings of buildings  through grid studies and perspective. They will experiment with printing techniques such as monoprint and collagraph	View Document	View Document

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Parents / carers can best support students by: The Visual Arts Department is open to all year groups on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday dinnertime for pupils to continue their studies. Homework is set once a fortnight which pupils can access through class charts.
 

Key Stage 4:

AQA GCSE Fine Art

Pupils in KS4 study GCSE Art & Design Fine Art through the AQA syllabus. The course is assessed through a portfolio of work worth 60% of their grade and an externally set task which is worth the remaining 40%. All work created in lessons and at home will form part of the portfolio of work.
Exam Board: AQA

	Term 1 Topics	Term 2 Topics	Term 3 Topics
Year 10	Portraiture Drawing & Painting Artist research pages Final painted outcome		Architecture Drawing & Printmaking Artist research pages
Year 11	Architecture Drawing & Printmaking Artist research pages Final outcome	Exam Exam paper released in January 3 month sketchbook developmental work on chosen question 10 hour controlled exam over two weeks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessment:

The most common and effective method of assessment with GCSE is verbal feedback. Pupils meet with their teacher twice a term to discuss, review and refine work on set projects. Coursework is assessed formally 2 times a term based on four assessment objects; pupils are given an opportunity to make improvements in light of their feedback. GCSE criteria will be shared continually throughout the course so pupils can keep track of their progress and targets.

Parents / carers can best support students by: We urge all parents to encourage their child to attend at least one dinnertime to develop and support their child's portfolio of work. It also vitally important that pupils remember to bring the sketchbook and art materials provided by the Art Department to all of their lessons. Homework is set once a fortnight which pupils can access through class charts. More often than not this will be set in a small sketchbook, if different it will be stated via class-charts.

Additional materials to support study and revision:

Resource	Link
BBC Bitesize-Art	https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/z8tnvcw