Art
Our Art and Design curriculum cultivates creativity and critical thinking, equipping you with essential skills to express your ideas.
ExploreCurriculum Intent
Art, craft and design represent some of the highest forms of human creativity. Through this curriculum, we inspire and challenge students to explore their creative potential, highlighting the significance of art in reflecting and shaping our history while contributing to the richness of culture and creativity in our world. We build practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge, teaching students how to visually communicate their thoughts, feelings and ideas. This foundation nurtures a passion for art and inspires further study beyond GCSE, whether at A Level, in the workplace, or through personal creative pursuits.
Students critically engage with the works of artists, craftspeople and designers from diverse cultures and eras, learning how they communicate meaning through formal elements. They are introduced to a variety of techniques including mark-making, collage, painting, printmaking and three-dimensional work, enabling them to articulate their own ideas and experiences.
Key Stage 3
Taught in one 55-minute lesson each week, KS3 Art projects are engaging and relevant, encouraging personal investigation and cultural exploration. In Year 7, students examine their local environment through a project on the Biscuit Factory. Year 8 links science and art, exploring the connection between word and image. In Year 9, students create symbolic sculptures and delve into identity through diverse artistic influences. Each project builds skills, confidence and visual literacy, enabling students to interpret and adapt artistic concepts in their own work.
Key Stage 4
In KS4, students follow the AQA Fine Art specification across three 55-minute lessons per week. They begin with skills-based mini-projects before embarking on sustained projects that encourage idea development from a range of sources. Students refine their work through experimentation with materials and techniques, building towards personal, meaningful responses. In Year 11, students complete an externally set assignment, selecting a starting point that meets the assessment criteria.
