Art
| About the Faculty |
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Art at Sir John Lawes School is all about skills, personal development and exploration. We place a great deal of emphasis on the importance of observing and recording, looking and thinking through the process of drawing is the foundation of everything that we do. |
| Curriculum Intent Statement |
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In Years 7-8 students develop their technical skills while working with a range of different materials and processes. From Year 9 onwards students are encouraged to work increasingly more independently, using and further developing their skills, producing personal responses to a group theme or starting point. Our Art students have the same core experiences, but are encouraged to filter these through their own strengths and interests. Two students, working alongside each other, having started from the same stimulus or title, will end up with personal responses that appear worlds apart. We see this as a strength. |
Key Stage 3 Curriculum
Art offers a broad-based course with a wide range of activities. We start from basic drawing skills and develop into Painting, Sculpture and Ceramics.
We teach in mixed ability groups throughout the school and from the start of Year 7 develop students confidence in using critical language to discuss their own and others art work.
Art is closely related to the development of the individual, so the course is designed to cater for the needs of the individual. All students are asked to investigate, discuss, experiment and develop their own interests and attitude to art and their environment.
The Faculty places great importance in the student’s belief in and understanding of their own work while they work towards attaining a high standard of achievement.
Year 7 Curriculum
Autumn Term
- Portrait Project: Mark making – observational drawing from primary and secondary sources, imaginative drawing, painting. Sculpture – producing portrait bas-relief sculpture using clay.
Spring Term
- Landscape Project: Colour mixing, painting techniques, observational painting, imaginative painting.
Summer Term
- Still Life: Observational drawing and painting using a range of materials working from primary sources.
Year 8 Curriculum
Autumn Term
- Hands: Collecting information and developing ideas through observational and imaginative work using a range of mark making materials and media. Students produce sustained imaginative piece working in three dimensions or two dimensions within the theme of hands.
Spring Term
- Art from other cultures: Students look at Art from other cultures, collecting information and developing ideas through observational research from primary and secondary sources.
Summer Term
- Perspective: Students use 1 point, 2 point and 3 point perspective systems to create landscapes and cityscapes. Students also study foreshortening and atmospheric-perspective using a range of techniques to create depth and a sense of distance in their work.
Year 9 Curriculum
Art
The year 9 course is for students who want to continue to develop their skills before GCSE study. The year 9 course is also suitable for students who want another year of study in Art and Design before making a decision about further study.
Students spend one term on each of the following:
Still Life
- Observational drawing and painting using a range of media and techniques to produce a series of studies and a final sustained piece of work.
Print Making
- A series of Mono-Prints, Intaglio Prints and Lino Prints developed from observational studies of animals
Sculpture
- Three dimensional work using wire and plaster bandage, clay and other materials.
Key Stage 4 Curriculum
The GCSE Art course is designed to allow students to develop their own interests and skills. Projects are structured but flexible enough to allow for individuals to develop their own ideas within a broad based theme. Art historical links need to be documented for each project. Preparation work must also be completed in the form of sketchbooks, study sheets and models. Work is presented as an exhibition at the end of the two years.
We have high expectations of our students. We ensure they know how to achieve. Students have regular and meaningful assessment, both in verbal and written form. Targets are meaningful not only in reports but on an everyday basis, verbally and personally.
Year 10 Curriculum
Students will produce two units of coursework, one following the theme of portrait and one animals, birds and insects. Drawing as a form of research from direct observation and imagination is fundamental. Both of the units of coursework will include sketchbook back up work, a portfolio of research and experimentation and a sustained final piece. Coursework contributes 60% of their final mark for the course.
Year 11 Curriculum
Students will undertake their mock examination and their final exam in Year 11. For both exams students respond to a given title, and are given eight weeks of preparation before a ten hour exam, with the exam time spread over a number of weeks of school. The final exam contributes 40% to the final mark.
Key Stage 5 Curriculum
| Art & Design, Textiles & Fashion Design |
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Board: EdExcel (9FA0), (9TE0)
Students studying A Level Art and A Level Textiles & Fashion will be taught together for both courses, covering common skills around collection of information through observational work and experimentation with materials. Art students and Textiles & Fashion Design students will also have specialist teaching around the two disciplines, developing work in their chosen area.
These A Levels may also be taken in combination with other portfolio based courses, but due to the similar structure of assessments and deadlines, advice should be taken if you plan to do this.
Art and Design
You must enjoy working in a creative way and will need to have good organisational skills. You need commitment and enthusiasm for this area of study. You will be given the opportunity to develop your ideas in a range of ways including Drawing and Painting, Printmaking and Sculpture. You will be encouraged to work in the art faculty during your free lessons. You will have the opportunity to attend trips and will be encouraged to visit galleries in your own time. You will need to spend a minimum of 4-5 hours a week on sketchbook work.
Textiles and Fashion Design
This is an art based textiles and fashion course working from a starting brief or theme. You will creatively explore textiles and how far you can manipulate the materials, stretch ideas and push boundaries, perhaps using materials that may not be considered “textiles”. You will build upon skills learnt at GCSE Textiles. You will work in sketchbooks to develop and experiment with ideas and will be encouraged to make these personal and reflective of your own style. You will develop your knowledge of textile artist/designers throughout your course and will use this knowledge to inform and inspire your own work. Work produced could include: fashion, costume or accessory design, art textiles, three dimensional textiles, sculpture, interior design and fashion illustration. The course will enable you to work to your strengths and interests within fashion and textiles.
Costs
All students will need 2 x A3 sized sketchbooks per year. You will need to have some of your own equipment such as a folder and some paintbrushes for Art and Design, or pins/needles, fabric scissors and specialist textiles material for Textiles and Fashion Design. All students will have an opportunity to draw from the figure in Life Drawing sessions, these will run after school, will be taught by a local artist visiting tutor and there will be a cost for these sessions if you wish to take part.
Assessment
For both routes you will be marked on observational drawing skills, development of ideas, contextual awareness and your outcomes or realisations.
Coursework 60% including a 3000+ word written research project that is worth 12% of the final mark.
Course content
For both routes, following a teacher directed skills project you will work on a self-directed practical project called the specialist project, including a written and illustrated art history project and a series of linked practical outcomes. You will also complete a 15 hour timed test and a 10 hour mock examination.
Entry requirements
We would expect you to achieve a grade 6 or above in GCSE Art and Design or GCSE Textiles dependant on which route you choose. You must have an APS of 4.5 or above.
| Graphics (Art syllabus) |
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Board: EdExcel (9GC0)
This is an Art based Graphics course jointly taught by the Art and Technology faculties. You should enjoy solving image based problems which are suitable for commercial application and enjoy working to Design Briefs. You will be given the opportunity to work on projects relating to design, illustration and typography through a wide range of drawing and mark making media including paint, pastels, inks and collage, developing your ideas and images using specialist computer software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. This course would suit people who have an interest in Photography as well as traditional Art skills. Access to your own camera would be an advantage but not essential.
This A Level may also be taken in combination with other portfolio based course, but due to the similar structure of assessments and deadlines, advice should be taken if you plan to do this.
Assessment
You will be marked on your visual recording skills, development of ideas, contextual awareness and realisations.
Coursework 60% included 3000+ word written research project that is worth 20% of the final mark.
15 hour Practical Exam sat in sessions over a three week period worth 40% of the final mark.
Course content
There will be an initial skills based project followed by a self-directed practical project called the specialist project. In Year 13 this will include a written research project. You will also complete a 10 hour mock exam in Year 12 and a 15 hour timed exam in Year 13.
Entry requirements
We would expect you to achieve a grade 6 or above in GCSE Design and Technology (Graphic Product) or grade 6 or above in GCSE Art and Design as well as an APS of 4.5 or above.
| Photography |
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Board: EdExcel (9PY0)
The course covers the foundations of photography, teaching you the skills to take and analyse your own work and the work of others. You will work in a variety of settings with studio work and sessions outside the studio. Students will use the skills they develop in the first term of Y12 to produce a series of sustained sets of work around a chosen theme, showing that they can follow and develop their own ideas and respond to work by other photographers.
Access to your own camera would be an advantage but not essential.
This A Level may also be taken in combination with other portfolio based course, but due to the similar structure of assessments and deadlines, advice should be taken if you plan to do this.
Assessment
You will be marked on your visual recording skills, development of ideas, contextual awareness and realisations.
Coursework 60% included 3000+ word written research project that is worth 20% of the final mark.
15 hour Practical Exam sat in sessions over a three week period worth 40% of the final mark.
Course content
There will be an initial skills based project followed by a self-directed practical project called the specialist project. In Year 13 this will include a written research project. You will also complete a 10 hour mock exam in Year 12 and a 15 hour timed exam in Year 13.
Entry requirements
We would expect you to achieve a grade 6 or above in GCSE Design and Technology (Graphic Product) or grade 6 or above in GCSE Art and Design as well as an APS of 4.5 or above.
Marking Policy
Extended Curriculum
The art faculty fosters a studio atmosphere where students are encouraged to develop their own ideas through a variety of media. We have facilities for painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking and digital art. The faculty offers an open house at lunchtimes and after school for students to work on projects with a thriving lower school art club.
The displays around school and the work we share online demonstrate the exciting and skilful work created by students of all ages. Evidence of the students creative output is also often evident in the local community.
