Art

What do students study?

The aims of the Art and Design department is for pupils to produce personal responses to the observed and imagined world. Pupils are encouraged to investigate a range of media and materials including painting, drawing and three dimensional processes. During key stage 3 pupils are also able to extend their experiences of art through workshops and community projects. Pupils have access to two art studios and their work is regularly exhibited throughout the school and in the wider community to celebrate success and achievement. KS3 art students are able to join Art club where they have opportunities to extend their studies as well as taking part in local competitions and events. Students work has been on exhibition at Kennaway house for Sidmouth Daffodil Day and every year we create a mural for Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival.

Art in year 7 and 8 enables students to build core skills with a focus on the formal elements of Art. Students are taught how to research artists work and respond creatively to the work through personal outcomes and class discussion. Students are able to investigate various techniques with opportunities to try printmaking, photography and 3D design. Students are encouraged to use the schools learning habits to develop their skills and confidence.
In year 9 students are given the opportunity to explore various drawing, painting, printing, and sculpture techniques in a variety of projects. Focus is very much on direct observation drawing and building up skills in various media. Areas covered include:

• Basic drawing techniques from direct observation
• Basic painting techniques: colour blending and mixing
• Construction techniques
• Collaborative projects building leadership skills.
• Introduction to artist, designers and craftsmen in the form of written and drawn research.
• Basic print techniques

The summer term in year 9 is workshop based and students are introduced to a variety of exciting processes to broaden their experiences and develop their skills set in art.

How are students assessed?
In Key Stage 3, students are assessed formatively on pieces of work throughout each project. This is done by either by their teacher, as a whole class discussion, or as a self or peer assessment. Time is regularly spent discussing how to recognise a piece of work from each level and how to improve each student’s own work to raise their grade to the next stage. Students record these various assessments in target graphs in the back of their books where they can clearly see their progression and areas of strength and weakness. Each project is then given a summative assessment at the end of the project by the teacher.

Students are introduced to and regularly practice the main skills which are required for the GCSE programme of study, gradually building confidence and familiarity with these skills. Within each Scheme of Work these skills typically include Observation, Experimentation, Refinement, Presentation, Realisation and Reviewing work. Researching Historical and Contemporary Artists is regularly set as homework tasks to build research skills.


Contact Miss A Davies, Director of Performing & Creative Arts for further information.