Art

Head of Department: Mrs Joanna Bowden
Faculty Staff: Mr Simon Duffy teacher of Art and Photography
Level of teaching: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, Key Stage 5 at The New Sixth

Art at Saint Gregory’s seeks to give students a firm foundation in the key skills of Art and Design. A broad range of media is covered including drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. The use of photography and digital media is also encouraged. Students learn about Art from different cultures and develop their knowledge of Art History within a variety of themed projects.

The aim is to be as creative as possible in order to produce work which is unique and personal, whilst still showing a connection to what they have learnt from others. Art can form a powerful tool for self-expression and students are encouraged to celebrate what is important to them in the work they create.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

Students follow a course of study in Year 7 that seeks to lay a good foundation in the key skills of drawing, mark-making, shading and colouring, and have opportunities to experiment with a wide variety of media including clay.

Their learning and development continues into Year 8 where students are introduced to the work of artists from other cultures and backgrounds. Students experiment with techniques and processes and further enhance their key skills in drawing from observation, adding realism and depth to their work.

In Year 9, students study genres of art such as Expressionism and Pop Art, developing their own themes and outcomes within their context of study.

Year 7


Terms 1 & 2
Topic 1: Line and Texture
Topic 2: Tone and Colour

Terms 3 & 4
Topic 1: Colour continued
Topic 2: Clay masks

Terms 5 & 6
Topic 1: Henri Rousseau
Topic 2: Henri Rousseau

Year 8


Terms 1 & 2
Topic 1: Aboriginal Art
Topic 2: Aboriginal boomerangs

Terms 3 & 4
Topic 1: Bugs
Topic 2: Bugs

Terms 5 & 6
Topic 1: Native American Art
Topic 2: Native American Art

Year 9


Terms 1 & 2
Topic 1: Expressionism
Topic 2: Expressionism

Terms 3 & 4
Topic 1: Pop Art investigated
Topic 2: Pop Art 3D relief work begins

Terms 5 & 6
Topic 1: Continuation of Pop Art reliefs
Topic 2: Giorgio de Chirico

 


Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

Course Code: GCSE Art, Craft and Design AQA 4200
Exam Board Specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/art-and-design/gcse/art-and-design-8201-8206

This course offers students the opportunity to work across a broad range of media including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and digital media linked with photography.

The course encourages candidates to develop their own work with reference to other artists in our own and other cultures; within a historical perspective and responding to current ideas.

Gallery visits, contextual studies and suggested courses of independent study, including using the internet, help candidates in personal research for their sketchbooks.

Year 10


Terms 1 & 2
Topic 1: Still Life
Topic 2: Still Life

Terms 3 & 4
Topic 1: Still Life
Topic 2: Still Life

Terms 5 & 6
Topic 1: Environment project
Topic 2: Environment project

Year 11


Terms 1 & 2
Topic 1: Environment project
Topic 2: Environment project

Terms 3 & 4
Topic 1: Exam
Topic 2: Exam

Terms 5 & 6
N/A

 


Key Stage 5 (Years 12-13)

Course Code: A Level Fine Art/Photography AQA
Exam Board Specification: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/art-and-design/as-and-a-level/art-and-design-7201

Recommended Entry Requirements

  • Grade 5 GCSE English
  • Grade 5 GCSE Art desirable but not compulsory. Requires discussion with the Art Department.
  • Passionate about the subject

Why Fine Art/Photography?
Whether specialising in Fine Art or Photography, this is a wide ranging course, encouraging a very personal approach to your work and chosen media. Explore the world through the visual arts in 2D and 3D media using drawing and painting, photography, print-making and sculpture.
You will be introduced to a variety of traditional and new media processes and techniques. Knowledge of the work of other artists will be developed and you will create your own personal outcomes by following a process of refinement of ideas.
The course begins with completing a broad project on People and Places, covering portraiture, landscapes, still life and urban art. You then start the Personal Investigation (Component 1) and, once completed, progress to your own exam project (Component 2).

Assessment
60% – Component 1
Personal Investigation into a theme of students’ own choice
40% – Component 2
Externally Set Assignment to be completed over three days

Recommended Reading
Complete Artists Manual – The Definitive Guide to Materials and Techniques for Painting and Drawing by S. Jennings.
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk
https://www.victoriagal.org.uk
https://www.holburne.org

 


Enrichment:

Gallery trips are organised to give students the opportunity of seeing art first hand. This broadens their cultural awareness and deepens their appreciation for the work of others.

After attending such trips, students are often inspired to follow new lines of enquiry in their own work.

After-school Art is offered for GCSE students and further help and guidance can be offered during this time in order to help with coursework and practical Art skills.

Art News