KS3 ART

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KS3 art students at SPA gain a solid understanding of the seven elements of art - line, colour, value, shape, form, space, and texture. This is through 'mini' GCSE projects that give students the opportunity to develop key skills in drawing, painting, printmaking and ceramics. Students focus on the work of other artists and historical art movements whilst also analysing the work of their peers, alongside regular self reflection. Periodic assessments will monitor the progress of key painting and drawing skills with students using these skills and their art history knowledge to make exciting, individual and inspiring personal outcomes. Work will be presented both in sketchbook journals but with a big focus on working larger scale pieces to ensure the transition to exciting GCSE work is successful. Year 7 is all about developing skills from KS2 through two projects, whilst in Year 8 students focus on key 19th & 20th Century art movements and heavyweight European artists. In Year 9 students will take influence from African Art in the Cultural Project, ensuring that when they enter GCSE Art they will not only be independent with their art skills but also knowledgeable and inspired from a diverse range of creative starting points.  

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KS4 ART

In line with the four GCSE objectives students will develop skills in a broad range of techniques such as painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics, photography and digital art. Students will independently look at artists, art movements and take cultural inspiration from a whole range of sources to inform their understanding of the creative world and inspire and enhance their own practice. Through trips, artist workshops, community connections and Big Ideas lessons students will increase their exposure to an exciting range of creative ideas and opportunities with a regular focus on relevant Future You's.

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BIG IDEAS

Big Idea lessons are presented to students twice a Half Term and where possible connect to both Future You lessons and also the ongoing curriculum. As an example

students in Year 7 study colour theory and time is dedicated to looking at the French mural artist Thiery Noir who decorated the Berlin Wall with his vibrant complementary

colour caricatures. Students will be shown work by local mural artist Beverley Coraldine and also the large scale work of Y11 students to use this as a Future You activity too.

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FUTURE YOU

Future You – through regular visits from practising artists, links to local universities and colleges and trips to a range of destinations our students are continuously exposed to career opportunities in all aspects of Art. Students receive at least two creative career lessons per half-term with relevant and interesting connections to current scheme of learning.

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ACADEMIC LITERACY

Literacy is embedded in the art curriculum ranging from subject specific language and terminology to critical analysis of historical art and in evaluation of their own work.

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HOMEWORK

At KS3 fortnightly homework tasks continue to embed learning from the classroom. These include drawing tasks accessible to all as well as longer projects with a keenness to involve students and their friends/family members.

 

At KS4 students will be expected to continue with their ongoing coursework at home. This may be tasks based within their ongoing sketchbook work or artist research to prepare for future lessons.