Art
| Year 7 Homework |
| Art Homework Projects |
Key Stage 3 - Course Outline
The Key Stage 3 course focuses on practical two and three dimensional activities in Art, Craft and Design. Projects encourage students to explore and develop ideas whilst gaining experience of working in a wide range of media. Practical demonstrations are central to art teaching at Millthorpe. While emphasis is given to practical experiences, student knowledge and understanding of artists/artistic styles from different cultures provides both a stimulus and reference for practical outcomes. Regular homework tasks reinforce and extend learning. Lower school groups study Art and Design in two half term timeblocks (36 hours in total).
The Year 7 course is designed to unify the varied art experiences gained at primary schools. Projects based on portraiture, figures and the local built environment provide a common referenece from which each student may confidently progress towards fulfilling their true potential by the end of the Key Stage. During two units inspiration is gained from the work of L S Lowry, Henry Moore and masks from differnet cultures.
The course content for Year 8 reinforces and then extends the foundation of knowledge, experience, understanding and skills laid down in Year 7. Students study colour theory, perspective and observational drawing during two units. Outcomes include an interior design, a Surrealist inspired composition, a series of shoe drawings, an illuminated manuscript letter and stencilled Celtic style tile. Surrealist ideas and techniques are explored during the interior topic. The Book of Kells and Celtic artefacts are also studied.
In Year 9 students follow a varied programme of study designed to provide every student with a final opportunity to demonstrate their skills, knowledge and understanding to their full potential with regard to satisfying the end of Key Stage level descriptions. Three units involve the production of a painted jungle composition, two still life studies, a clay plaque and a stained glass panel. Particular importance is placed on development work in Year 9. Henri Rouddeau, Paul Cezanne, Cubism and Aztec Art inform Year 9 projects.
Key Stage 3 - Assessment
Individual pieces of work are awarded a grade and feedback with regard to progress, effort, attitude and next steps. At the end of each unit of work, progress made in relation to National Curriculum Levels can be assessed.
Key Stage 4 - Course Outline
Year 10 and 11 students follow AQA's endorsed Fine Art GCSE course. It is a two year course and the endorsement course involves students working in two or more of the following areas:
Students are required to submit a portfolio of Controlled Assessment (Coursework; more than one extended project or one project selected from other studies) and complete an External Assessment (Exam).
Controlled Assessment (Coursework)
Students undertake a minimum of two coursework projects over two years. The first project starts in September of Year 10 and is completed by Easter. The second project is undertaken during the summer of Year 10 and the autumn term of Year 11. All coursework will be submitted for final GCSE assessment. New projects are planned throughout the year, carefully tailored to the interests and needs of groups.
External Assessment (Exam)
The exam component takes place during the spring term of Year 11. The Art department also provides additional support in the form of a supplementary support booklet and an extensive image bank on the school website. Students are given four weeks to plan, undertake research and prepare a final piece to produce in timed exam conditions. Art department staff can provide support throughout the preparation period. Following an initial three hour exam, students work on their final piece during timetabled art lessons (total of 10 hours). Supporting preparation work in sketchbook and/or annotation sheets are handed in for assessment once the final piece is complete.
GCSE Final Assessment
At the end of the course candidates receive two final marks, one for each component of the examination:
Controlled Assessment - 60% of the final marks awarded
External Assessment - 40% of the final marks awarded