Members of Department
Mrs C Gallagher Lavery (HOD)
Mrs N Barber

Ms C. Fegan
Miss E Gray

Key Stage 3

The course at Key Stage 3 is designed to present a variety of experiences to enable pupils to develop knowledge, understanding and skills. Exploration of the visual world through observation and experiment, both in two and three dimensions, forms a crucial part of the programmes of study. Sketchbooks are of great importance and the use of ICT is encouraged, both for information-gathering and for design purposes.

J1 students are introduced to Identity, Typography, Cultural Art and Art History.

J2 students study Watercolour painting, Photoshop, Still life tonal drawing and Pattern Making.

J3 students study Art Formal Elements, 3D design for ceramics, Careers in Art and Design, Portraiture and Monoprinting.

Key Stage 4 (GCSE)

GCSE Art and Design specification develops students understanding of how meanings, ideas and intentions can be communicated through visual and tactile language. Students learn how to use different media and technologies to realise their intentions. They develop their understanding of the creative and cultural industries, and refine their work through experimentation.

By studying this revised specification, students become critical thinkers with enquiring minds and increase their confidence in taking artistic risks. The course features a renewed focus on drawing, emphasising that it is an essential part of the creative process in all art, craft and design disciplines.

As well as exploring many artistic skills and processes, students develop their knowledge and understanding of historical and contemporary contexts, societies and cultures. The broad and flexible content gives students the freedom to pursue a range of creative pathways.

Assessment will take place at the end of your course.

Key Stage 5 (GCE)

The study of GCE Art and Design creates a pathway to a future career in a creative or cultural field. It builds on the knowledge and skills developed at GCSE and Key Stage 3 and prepares students for further study in Art and Design or related study in a creative field.

Art and Design is unique in its inherent requirement to develop key transferable skills. This qualification is designed to broaden and deepen knowledge, skills and contextual understanding of a range of art and design disciplines. Opportunities are available to develop key skills needed for the world of work.

This specification sets out the content and assessment details for our Advanced Subsidiary (AS) and Advanced GCE courses in Art and Design. First teaching is from September 2016.

Students can take:

the AS course as a final qualification; or

the AS units plus the A2 units for a full GCE A level qualification.

We assess the AS units at a standard appropriate for students who have completed the first part of the full course. A2 units have an element of synoptic assessment (to assess students understanding of the subject as a whole), as well as more emphasis on assessment objectives that reflect higher order thinking skills. The full Advanced GCE award is based on students marks from the AS (40 percent) and the A2 (60 percent).

The guided learning hours for this specification, as for all GCEs, are:

180 hours for the Advanced Subsidiary level award; and

360 hours for the Advanced level award.

Career Opportunities

GCE Art and Design provides a solid foundation for further study of art, craft and design at a higher level and for degree courses in other fields. The following are some areas where Art and Design can be used but this subject can also contribute to the development of presentation and communication skills and creativity in a range of careers.

Design - Fashion, Textile, Illustration Design, Jewellery, Ceramics Design, Interior and Product Design.

Theatre Design- Set Design, Costume Design

Graphic Design - Web design, Illustration, Publishing and Designing logos.

Architecture - Architect, Landscape Architecture,

Education - Teaching, Lecturing, Educational Psychology, Art Therapy, Education/Arts Officer

Media and Photography - Advertising, Programme Making, Newspaper & Magazine Layout.