Art | Fine Art

Curriculum in-depth

Art | Fine Art

“Art is not what you see but what you make others see”

Our Art curriculum intends to:

Develop intuition, reasoning, imagination, and dexterity into unique form sof expression and communication;

Develop an appreciation of the aesthetic nature of the world around us;

Critically evaluate the way cultures are represented through their arts and celebrate diversity.

Secondary Choices Process

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Why Learn Art?

Art is a vibrant and dynamic subject that offers pupils the freedom to learn in ways that inspire and bring out the best in their skills and knowledge.

Art, embodies some of the highest forms of human creativity. A high-quality art education will engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design.

Pupils will learn know how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation. Our pupils will build theoretical knowledge of the concept of art itself as well as aquire disiplinary knowledge and appreciation of the techniques of artists and craft-makers.

Course skills:

In Year 7 pupils will be introduced to a broad range of new techniques, materials, artists and themes. These experiences will set the foundations for developing as an effective artist and creative thinker. In Year 8 pupils will build on these skills, techniques, knowledge and understanding introduced to them in Year 7. They will be encouraged to show refinement within their work and challenge themselves in a creative way.

Pupils will work through three different projects per year, engaging in practical tasks, discussion, group work and home learning projects. Each termly project is designed to help pupils understand the art they see around them and why art is so important within the world and in recording historical events in a visual way.

Each project is designed to cover practical skills, knowledge and understanding and creative thinking. Pupils will experiment with both 2D and 3D media and explore techniques including painting, printing, collage, and sculpture.

Drawing is seen as a fundamental art skill, which is encouraged and developed across all year groups. In Year 7 pupils begin to develop a more realistic style of drawing and are taught the importance of keen observation, accurate line and use of tone. This is continued throughout Year 8 and onto GCSE level.

Knowledge & Understanding:

How ideas, feelings and meanings are conveyed in images, artefacts, and products.
A range of art, craft, and design processes in two and/or three-dimensions and traditional and new media and technologies how images, artefacts and products relate to social, historical, vocational and cultural contexts.
A variety of approaches, methods and intentions of contemporary and historical artists, craftspeople and designers from different cultures and their contribution to continuity and change in society.
A working vocabulary and knowledge of specialist terms relevant to Fine Art.

Course content:

During Year 9 pupils will develop their painting and drawing skills and explore printmaking. These foundation skills will help pupils in preparation for the full GCSE course which begins in Year 10.

Course skills:

Pupils will be expected to demonstrate skills and techniques in the context of their chosen area(s) of learning within Fine Art.
Making appropriate use of colour, line, tone, texture, shape and form
Using different approaches to recording images,such as, observation, analysis, expression and imagination.
Showing in their work an understanding of the conventions of representational and abstract/ non-representational imagery and genres.
Investigating different ways of working,as appropriate to their chosen area(s) of learning within Fine Art.
Providing evidence of an understanding of spatial qualities, composition, rhythm, scale and structure.

Knowledge & Understanding:

Pupils will gain knowledge and understanding of:

How ideas, feelings and meanings are conveyed in images, artefacts and products in their chosen area(s) of learning within Fine Art.
A range of art, craft and design processes in two and/or three-dimensions, traditional, new media and technologies.
How images, artefacts and products relate to their social,historical, vocational and cultural contexts.
A variety of approaches, methods and intentions of contemporary and historical artists, craftspeople and designers from different cultures and their contribution to continuity and change in society in their chosen areas(s) of learning within Fine Art.
A working vocabulary and knowledge of specialist terms relevant to their chosen area(s) of learning within Fine Art.

GCSE Fine Art

Course skills:

Pupils will be expected to demonstrate skills and techniques in the context of their chosen area(s) of learning within Fine Art
Making appropriate use of colour, line, tone, texture, shape and form
Using different approaches to recording images, such as, observation, analysis, expression and imagination
Showing in their work an understanding of the conventions of representational and abstract/ non-representational imagery and genres
Investigating different ways of working, as appropriate to their chosen area(s) of learning within Fine Art
Providing evidence of an understanding of spatial qualities, composition, rhythm, scale and structure

Knowledge and Understanding:

Pupils will gain knowledge and understanding of:

how ideas, feelings and meanings are conveyed in images, artefacts and products in their chosen area(s) of learning within Fine Art
a range of art, craft and design processes in two and/or three-dimensions, traditional, new media and technologies
how images, artefacts and products relate to their social, historical, vocational and cultural contexts
a variety of approaches, methods and intentions of contemporary and historical artists, craftspeople and designers from different cultures and their contribution to continuity and change in society in their chosen areas(s) of learning within Fine Art
a working vocabulary and knowledge of specialist terms relevant to their chosen area(s) of learning within Fine Art.

Home Learning:

Pupils will be set 1 hour of Home Learning per week.

Exam Board: AQA – 8202

Overview of the course:

We integrate Art into our learning of topics from Year 4. In Year 6 we deliver Art as as discrete subject taught be a subject specialist.

Key stage 2

Our pupils are taught to develop their techniques, including their control and their use of materials, with creativity, experimentation and an increasing awareness of different kinds of art, craft and design.

Specifically we cover how:

to create sketch books to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas.
to improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials [for example, pencil, charcoal, paint, clay].
about great artists, architects and designers in history.

Long Term Plan for Primary phase

Art - Long Term Plan

Overview of the course:

It is important for children to engage with the Arts regularly and to explore a range of media and materials. This interaction will help them work towards early learning goals. Recognise this need and therefore we integrate Art into our learning of topics In EYFS and KS1.

Key stage 1

Our pupils are taught:

To use a range of materials creatively to design and make products
To use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination.
To develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space.
About the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work.

Long Term Plan for Primary phase

Art - Long Term Plan

The Westgate School

4 - 16 'all-through' school

Winchester, SO22 5AZ | 01962 854757

Our Art curriculum intends to:

Secondary Choices Process

Why Learn Art?

Course skills:

Knowledge & Understanding:

Course content:

Course skills:

Knowledge & Understanding:

GCSE Fine Art

Course skills:

Knowledge and Understanding:

Home Learning:

Overview of the course:

Key stage 2

Long Term Plan for Primary phase

Overview of the course:

Key stage 1

Long Term Plan for Primary phase