Art

Art and Design

The Art department at St. Michael’s aims to provide pupils with an enjoyable and meaningful curriculum set within an environment that encourages and gives multiple opportunities for pupils to demonstrate and enhance their skills, knowledge and understanding. This enables progression through the level descriptions for art and design.

Teachers provide pupils with practical demonstrations which are central to the teaching ethos of the department. This provides an effective means of introducing new skills and techniques whilst generating confidence in the students.

External visits to art galleries are organised whenever possible and the department works closely with local artists. The department also participates in competitions relevant to the course structure.

Course content Key Stage 3

At Key Stage 3 pupils experience a variety of approaches to Art, primarily based around the work of Modern Artists. These themes/topics are covered using various media. These are shown by year group.

Year 7

Elements of Art (Line, Tone, Texture, Pattern)
Portraiture
Colour Abstracts (Kandinsky)
Natural Forms
Communication Breakdown

Year 8

One and Two point Perspective
Life Drawing
Printmaking
Abstract Drawing
Popular Culture

Course Content key Stage 4

Art at GCSE builds on the knowledge, understanding and confidence pupils would have gained from the previous three years. Pupils work on building skills in a variety of Art disciplines although the emphasis throughout is on work from observation supported by contextual studies. Requirement for success is not judged on technical ability but enthusiastic attitude and an ability to demonstrate a progression of ideas.

Pupils are required to submit two units of work with evidence that they have covered the four assessment objectives. These units are worth 60%

Possible unit themes include:

Movement
Natural Forms
Opposites
Conflict
Structures

Towards the end of Year 11 the terminal exam is set, worth 40%. Pupils develop preparatory studies on a set theme for eight weeks which culminates in a 10 hour timed test.

Work from both Key Stages is displayed around the school with work being changed regularly. Exhibitions are organised for parents and outside visitors on every possible occasion.