Students experience a structured approach to the teaching of Art and Design which focuses on continuity, progression, breadth of experience and high expectations. Our schemes of work have been developed to give the students a broad experience of art skills as well as developing the understanding and appreciation of different kinds of Art.

In Year 7, 8 and 9 students focus on the concepts of line, tone, pattern, texture, form and colour, with each year building upon the knowledge and understanding of the previous. Projects may be 2 or 3 dimensional, Textiles based or developing skills in Painting and Drawing. All students in Year 7 will follow an introductory course in Art and Design in the first two weeks, which will cover the elements of line and tone, colour, texture, pattern, shape, form and space. Students will then follow the Opening Minds schemes of work, which will focus on learning transferable skills which can be used across the curriculum. The three units of work are based on The Holocaust, Save the Children, and African Art.

Students are encouraged to expand their specialist vocabulary and are introduced to making and keeping a sketchbook in order to experiment, record and investigate materials and ideas, encouraging independent working. Integral to each project is reference to the work of the artist, designer or craft person from different cultures and periods.

In addition to classwork, students will be set regular homework tasks, which will involve accessing the internet to research visual and written information on artists and their work. They may also be asked to complete drawing and sketching activities, experiment with different materials and evaluate their work. Regular assessment and monitoring ensures progression through the Key Stage, linked to the National Curriculum Levels for Art.

Finished work is evaluated and students decide where improvements can be made in future pieces. Work is displayed in the Art rooms and in a variety of venues around the school to celebrate the success of the student.