Art is about the individual. This simple idea forms the bedrock upon which all our Art courses are designed, both at KS3 and KS4.
Within a supportive framework based around themes, students are encouraged to produce personal ideas within the four sections their sketchbooks: Artists; Experiments; Observational Work; and Plans, for final pieces. Art students are given a great deal of freedom and are encouraged to develop their sketchbooks in a unique way.
Taught elements and technique workshops; are inserted into the courses to strengthen skills and techniques.
All young artists copy. Moving students from copying to creating their own work is one of our central focuses. Preparing students to move into post-16 creative courses with the ability to think and develop projects creatively is at the heart of all we do.
Students will work on one or two themes per year, for not less than twenty weeks per theme.
Final outcomes: larger Art works are linked to section four of each sketchbook.
Workshop technical elements are linked to the theme and a fine art diet of drawing and painting, printmaking and sculpture is embedded within the scheme of learning.
Typical Year 7 and 8 Art themes include: Toys; The Garden; The Sea.
Art history and critical studies form a large part of section one within sketchbooks. Students gather evidence of their own famous artists as well as engaging with class examples.
Currently the Art department follows the AQA GCSE Art and Design. This calls for more than one (large) Art project as coursework, so students will need to produce at least two projects and one large Art project for their examination. It is anticipated that roughly one theme in Art will be explored per academic year. Within each theme there will be many varied elements and workshops offering a fine art diet.
The examination project in Art is simply a third large practical project carried out over several weeks in Year 11, with a controlled test for ten hours at the end of the course. All Art projects and themes are practical, there is no formal written exam. The coursework is 60 %, the exam project is 40 %. Students are now awarded grades 1 – 9 in Art, with a 7 being equivalent to an ‘old A’ and a 5 as a strong ‘old C’.
Typical Year 10 and Art themes would include The Café and Fashion. Art history and critical studies form a large part of section one within sketchbooks. Students have lots of opportunities to produce larger work with a Fine Art bias which fill A1 folders and lead to large final displays which are unique to each person. The final display is moderated externally.
Staff are looking for students with good organisational skills and a determination to succeed and work at pace. A positive attitude is the best thing to bring onto a creative course. Limited drawing ability in Art does not necessarily become a barrier to learning, achievement and enjoyment.
Keep in touch
Subject Lead for Art is Mr Jones who can be contacted by email at:- b.jones@bhs.hlt.academy
DR SEUSS