Art

The leading people in any field are those who can think creatively and innovatively. Art embodies this. Our curriculum promotes creative thinking, self-expression and a sense of individual identity, and enhances well-being on a deeper and more personal level.

Our Art curriculum develops confidence in a wide range of media including drawing, painting, print-making, mixed-media and sculpture. It enhances fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem solving skills, lateral thinking, complex analysis and critical thinking. Students engage in discussion, analyse the work of artists, describe techniques and hypothesise on the underlying meaning. They are exposed to a multitude of art forms and artists, enhancing their cultural capital. As students progress through the school, continued practice revisiting key knowledge and skills, develops a proficiency to create ambitious work, whilst responding to thought provoking topics.

Throughout the course students explore meaningful projects and increasingly self-directed themes, stretching their creativity, encouraging them to take risks and promoting experimentation, both of which require resilience and perseverance to achieve their end goal and fulfil their ambitions.

Minimum Entry Criteria

Desired: 7 in Art (or Textiles or portfolio of work if the subject is not studied at GCSE)

Essential: 6 in Art (or Textiles or portfolio of work if the subject is not studied at GCSE)

Board

Edexcel

Outline of the Course

Year 12:

• Unit 1: ‘A Sense of Place’ Exploring the physicality of spatial qualities in landscape and architectural constructs and in developing conceptual understanding of the significance of ‘place’ for different groups of people. Development of ideas is inspired by a cultural visit to Margate and students will explore a diverse range of mixed-media and printmaking, leading to a more personal final outcome
• Unit 2a: ‘The Figure’ A portfolio of life drawing studies in a range of media accompanied by sketchbook work
• Unit 2b: ‘Portraiture’ Exploring themes of identity through photography leading to a large-scale portrait painting in oils or acrylics

Year 13:

• Unit 3b: Personal Study (Essay)
• Unit 3c: Personal Investigation (practical work inspired by student ideas)
• Unit 4: The Exam Unit

Assessment

Bridging Task - Art