The Art department is a vibrant and creative space, where pupils are encouraged to explore the world around them and to express their ideas and opinions through the Visual Arts.

We regularly exhibit students’ work inside and outside of college.

In Key Stage 3, we aim to provide a solid foundation for developing the skills that they need, to be able to research and understand art work from varying times and cultures. We endeavour to provide the means to identify the qualities offered by a wide range of media, techniques and processes, offering opportunities to work with paint, clay, fabrics, print, modelling materials and new technologies. We produce art work that utilises direct observation skills, as well as imagination and creativity. They are actively encouraged to generate their own research, in the form of extended research projects, where they learn essential skills in relation to gathering and developing relevant information for their practical work.

In Year 7, pupils learn to use a wide range of drawing and painting methods, including the skills of enlarging their images to scale, exploring themes such as wildlife and self-portraiture.

In Year 8, pupils expand their knowledge of other cultures, and produce work based on an exploration of Australian Aboriginal Art. They also undertake an ‘Illustration and Animation’ project, where illustration and new technologies are a key feature in the development of their work.

In Year 9, they are encouraged to be far more personal and autonomous in the development of their ideas, as a preparation for GCSE. They look at Urban and Social issues through Graffiti Art, as well as historical and contemporary issues that inform the craft work of East Africa.

During Year 9, pupils are given the opportunity to follow an enterprise programme with ‘This Is Creative Enterprise’. In it, pupils are able to work with photography and fashion industry practitioners, to learn skills required in the workplace, and to follow up a creative project to completion. This is showcased at a special exhibition at The Great North Museum.

GCSE

We follow the AQA Art and Design course, which covers a broad study of the Visual Arts. Pupils will work in a range of media and processes, including drawing, painting, print-making, sculpture and light and lens-based media.

The course is assessed with equal weighting on how they;

  • Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources.
  • Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes.
  • Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses.
  • Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language.

60% of the final GCSE grade is based on Coursework produced over the first 4 terms, and 40% based on an Externally Set practical project.

GCSE pupils are expected to provide their own sketchbooks, and produce a minimum of 1 hours’ homework each week. All are encouraged to spend extra time in the department at lunch or after school.

A level: Art & Design

We follow the AQA Art and Design course, which uses the following assessment criteria;

  • Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding
  • Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops
  • Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress
  • Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements

 

Pupils are offered a wide ‘diet’ of artistic source material and visits to places of artistic and cultural interest is common. Over recent years, visits have included London, New York, Paris, Venice and Rome.

In the first year, students will experiment with media and concepts, and extend their practice, whilst they develop their skills in art-based research, analysis and making.

The second year is split into two separate assessed components;

Component 1: Personal Investigation; a practical investigation of a given theme, resulting in a body of development work and final outcome(s), supported by written material. 60% of A level grade.

Component 2: Externally Set Assignment; beginning 1 February, a practical project, culminating in a 15 hour controlled test in which students produce their final outcome(s). 40% of A level grade.

A level: Photography

We follow the AQA Art and Design: Photography course. Using digital processes and equipment, students learn how to operate photographic equipment in a studio and outdoors. They learn how to use editing and manipulation programmes to produce professional quality images, and meet with practitioners who can offer valuable experiences related to the Photographic Industry.

The A level follows the same structure and assessment criteria as Art and Design.

Both A levels offer excellent opportunities for HE studies and careers in the Arts and Design fields, and each can benefit the other, for those students who wish to study both disciplines at this level.