Our Art curriculum aims to foster creativity, critical thinking, and confidence in self-expression. We
believe that every student has the potential to develop artistic skills and visual literacy, enabling
them to communicate ideas and emotions effectively. Through a broad exploration of various
techniques, media, and art history, students will engage with both traditional and contemporary
practices, developing their technical abilities and appreciation of diverse cultures. We aim to
nurture problem-solving skills, resilience, and independence, preparing students for further
education and creative industries, while promoting personal wellbeing and cultural awareness.
| ART CURRICULUM | |||
| TERM 1 | TERM 2 | TERM 3 | |
| Year 7 | Formal Elements Students will learn and explore the formal elements focusing on Shape, Tone, Colour and Texture. They will learn how to sew a running stitch and create a Suffolk puff. | Formal Elements/ Insects Students will learn and explore the two remaining formal elements of Pattern and Line. They will be introduced to the theme of Insects and present a mind map. They will practice their recording skills relating to tone. | Insects Students will continue with their recording skills, practise their application of colour and study artists inspired by Insects. They will create a range of outcomes including ceramics and textiles, exploring, relevant contemporary artists. |
| Year 8 | Confectionary Students will be introduced to confectionery, presenting a mind map. They will complete line, tone and colour studies using a range of media and medium and explore Photography for visual recording. They will complete an appliqued textile design inspired by Carla Banks. | Confectionary/ Natural Forms Students will learn 3-D construction techniques and make food related sculptures. They will be introduced to Natural Forms and explore different techniques to develop their ideas. | Natural Forms They will create observational studies inspired by marine life using a range of media and techniques. They will study the artist Yellena James. They will explore wax resist techniques using fabric inks on material and create a sea-related textile outcome. |
| Year 9 | Pop Art Students will be introduced to the expectations of GCSE level work through the development of artist reference pages using a range of presentation skills including IT. They will study artists including Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Claes Oldenburg. They will create observational studies and learn different 3D modelling techniques. | Architecture Students will study local, national and international architecture, historically and contemporary. They will be inspired by a range of artists such as Lucy Jones, Ian Murphy and Hundertwasser extending recording techniques, and exploring printing techniques. | Graffiti Students will be introduced to Banksy and present their name in the style of Graffiti. They will study Ben Eine and Keith Haring, creating decorative letters and figures, working both 2D, 3D and with textiles. Students will develop their joining and construction skills alongside surface decoration. |
| Year 10 | OCR GCSE Portfolio Project Students will explore materials and practise key skills such as mark-making, application of tone and colour. Students will choose their own theme for their project. They will create a mind map, mood board and start observational drawings. | OCR GCSE Portfolio Project Students will continue their observational drawings completing a minimum of one tone, colour and biro study. If appropriate they will complete photoshoots. They will start to research and study artists to develop their work. | OCR GCSE Portfolio Project They will continue to complete artist studies and create reference pages to support the development of their work. Students will continue to add recordings to their portfolio of work and explore further media and techniques. |
| GCSE Photography | |
| Course Content | Students will be expected to complete a portfolio of work and an externally set task. Photography Portfolio Students will produce an extended collection of work, or project which demonstrates an ability to sustain work from initial starting points or project briefs. For each project students will choose what to focus on, research a theme, develop their ideas and produce a final piece. They will work with a wide range of techniques and also keep a digital visual sketchbook. They will produce a wide range of different photography students and digital experimentation. Externally set task Students will choose one starting theme from a selection of five for their external task. They will then work through the assessment objectives over a number of weeks; producing research and experimentation. They will create their final piece during a ten-hour controlled session over two days. |
| Course Assessment | All work is project/coursework based. Portfolio 60%, Externally set task 40%. The four assessment objectives are: 1. Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources. 2. Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes. 3. 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. |
| Progression/ Careers Information | Students can continue their photography studies by progressing to the A Level Photography Course at City College. Photography and Design could also be an option post-16 through apprenticeship placements. This course would be suitable for students interested in Advertising, Architecture, Crafts, Graphic Design, 3-Dimensional Design, Industrial and Product Design, Marketing, Illustration, Interior Design, Digital Media, Fashion and Textiles, Film, Video, TV and radio, Music, Performing Arts, Publishing, Visual Arts and Photography. These careers normally require further study at higher education to progress into employment. |
| Additional Information | For further information visit: https://www.ocr.org.uk/images/72903-options-photography.pdf |
