Art & Design
Art & Design
Art and Design has a high profile within the Academy. There is imagination and innovation running through all areas of the curriculum and a high level of involvement in extracurricular activities and clubs and exhibitions. We view this as an essential contribution to Academy life and a great benefit to the students and staff alike.
Ethos & Values
In the Creative Arts Curriculum area, we endeavour to foster students' sensitivity to and their understanding and enjoyment of Art and Design. We aim to provide students with skills, knowledge and confidence in each area and develop their enjoyment of Art and Design through an active practical involvement in the creative elements of each discipline.
We feel that Art and Design is an essential element in a balanced education, allowing personal expression, personal development, creative and real practical involvement in the subject. Students gain confidence and a real appreciation of each other's talent.
In the Curriculum Area we are aware that Art and Design is one of the few areas where students take part in the personal creation of their own personal items. This adds even more to the aesthetic value of the subject, giving the students a healthy channel for their creative talents.
The Curriculum Area aims:
- To develop the students' aesthetic appreciation of a variety of Art forms and to continue to explore this through developments in Art and Design.
- To provide stimulating visual and practical experiences which provide opportunities for the development of skills.
- To promote interest, enthusiasm and enjoyment of the subject.
Knowledge & Skills
At the beginning of our 5 year curriculum, schemes of work cover the core criteria that we believe are vital. The students address four areas of enquiry: competency, creativity, cultural and critical. These are used to build the knowledge and skills required for artist appreciation and practice.
At GCSE students will complete the AQA Art, Craft and Design course. This is a popular choice, allowing students to create artworks from a variety of disciplines. Assessment for GCSE is 60% Coursework Portfolio, 40% final examination.
All schemes of work are constantly amended, responding to new developments in Art and Design. We work to projects which offer students the opportunity to explore and experiment with varied and diverse media in order to produce outcomes. Students also look at the history of art and the artwork/design from other cultures in order to enhance their own studies and artwork. Students are encouraged to make creative choices and develop their own ideas in response to artist and designers work.
Resources & Facilities
At Louth Academy, we have a well-equipped studio and ceramic facilities. There are two kilns, allowing clay work to be fired on site.
A range of processes and materials are used throughout our 5 year curriculum including 2D and 3D work. These include: drawing, painting, mixed media, collage, ceramics, card and wire sculpture.
Courses & Qualifications
Our curriculum follows QCA guidelines and at GCSE the students follow the AQA GCSE Art, Craft and Design course. This offers a range of materials for students to increase skills and develop creativity.
The GCSE programme is intended to deepen and extend the students' own creative skills and their understanding of art practice that develops throughout our 5 year curriculum. Students will have the opportunity to work in painting, drawing and mixed media, ceramics and sculpture where appropriate. Students will be encouraged to experiment and be adventurous in expressing their own thoughts, observations and ideas. Observational drawing is fundamental to any art practice and will form the keystone for each project. Students should then develop their ideas into more experimental and creative outcomes.
Students will work to set themes and be expected to record and explore ideas; to use a variety of materials; to analyse and investigate the work of other artists, craft persons and designers; to develop personal final outcomes.
Topics
Year 7
During Year 7 students have the opportunity to develop a range of skills through 2D and 3D work.
- Colour and Pattern - an exploration of the visual elements and introduction to painting skills, mixing and blending. Students will be influenced by the art of Peter Max to design a Starbucks cup. They will learn about the process of design to production.
- Natural Forms - Students will look at Natural Forms and create a variety of outcomes in different media. They will learn vital drawing and planning skills used in realistic drawing and how to develop an idea from realism to abstraction.
- Buildings and Architecture - Students will develop their understanding of colour theory and pattern through producing a 3D outcome. Students will explore the artwork of Gaudi. They will create work that is inspired by the artist using different 3D forms.
Year 8
During Year 8 students also have the opportunity to develop a range of skills through 2D and 3D work. Year 8 students will study both traditional art and design processes, and learn to create their own creative outcomes.
- Portraits - students will learn techniques and skills to enable them to create a self-portrait in a variety of styles. They will focus on classical drawing skills as well as exploration of media and creativity.
- Fantastic and Strange – an exploration of surrealism developing on skills learnt during Portraits. Students will develop their understanding of a range of media producing relevant outcomes and combining ideas..
Year 9
- Colour theory and media skills - Students will extend their knowledge of colour theory and how to use colours together effectively. They will practice mixing and blending in order to create a final outcome based around Optical Illusion Art.
- Natural Forms - Students will learn techniques involved in drawing accurately and realistically, as well as important skills on handling a variety of media. Students will work with a variety of media to produce outcomes in clay, printmaking, paint, and multimedia. The focus is to be able to use a variety of media effectively and purposefully.
KS4 Topics
Year 10
- Natural Forms - Students will develop their techniques and skills in drawing accurately and realistically. They will widen the knowledge they have in a range of media whilst exploring a variety of artists. The purpose is for them to create personal and meaningful outcomes in response to this.
- Portraits - Students will be provided with in-depth study of facial features and the rules involved in recording the face and human figure. Students will create a variety of outcomes ranging from realistic to stylized and will be able to produce work that is personal to them and tailored to their style and strengths.
- Culminating Project – Students will develop their skills and their creative identity through creating a project linking to natural forms or portraiture. They will explore ideas and themes they enjoy whilst creating a final piece using 3D materials.
Year 11
- Mock Exam - students will respond to series of given starting points. They will create a personal and meaningful response that references all 4 assessment objectives in a media and style of their choice. This will give students a chance to experience the process of working through a mock exam and give them the opportunity to tailor and personalise their learning.
- Final Exam 40% - students will respond to series of given starting points. They will create a personal and meaningful response that references all 4 assessment objectives in a media and style of their choice. They will complete a final 10 hour Controlled Assessment in which they will create a final outcome linking to their preparation work.
Learning Outside The Classroom
All students are encouraged to practice skills and supplement knowledge outside of class. Students have the opportunity to participate in clubs and activities after school and at lunch time, which focus on developing new skills and experimenting with techniques.
There are after-academy and lunch time classes for coursework development offered to GCSE students. Those who need extra time and one to one support to complete work find this valuable.
Lunchtime clubs are available for all art students who wish to practise their skills in a supportive environment.
Where Does This Take Me In The Future?
Further Education
- AS/A Level, 2 years
- Foundation Course in Art & Design
After A Level
Apply to Colleges, Universities for Further Education and Degree courses.
Curriculum Sequencing Documents - Art & Design
The Art and Design curriculum includes projects that address the key themes of Cultural/Historical, Observation, Technical skills Development of creativity, Investigation/Experimentation, Evaluation. The sequencing is designed so that themes are scaffolded across our curriculum. Students continually revisit skills and build upon them as their education progresses, tackling increasingly challenging concepts. The level and depth intensify as does the content and demand of each project. Expectation of independence through progression is included ready for GCSE, as independence is vital for high attainment and progression.
Key themes - Cultural/Historical, Observation, Technical skills (knowledge of art materials and skilful use through a variety of disciplines), Development of creativity - Identity/self-expression, Investigation/Experimentation, Evaluation, SMSC (culture, wider impact, team work, life skills
Skills – Independence, Research, Analysis, Critical Thinking, Cultural and Visual Literacy, Realistic/constructive drawing, Technical skills
