Introduction
This is a subject for everyone to enjoy! It aims to give students more than just practical skills by trying to influence the way they see, think and feel. Ideas are very important, and Art can often convey them in a way that others understand. In Art there are no correct or expected solutions; it is more important to experiment and enjoy the process of making. Students are encouraged to develop new skills and express their ideas creatively in a safe and welcoming environment.
KS3 Art and Design
During KS3 all our students are afforded the experience of a range of artistic activity, working with a variety of media, tools, and equipment. The broad and varied schemes of work allow all students to experiment with drawing, painting, designing, printmaking, 3D modelling, ceramics, glass fusing, textiles, photography, and digital editing. We encourage individual student outcomes and promote personal responses to all themes studied. Within all our projects we introduce students to a range of artists who work in a variety of genres to inspire their own pieces and to contextualise their practise.
GCSE Art and Design
Throughout the course students explore a wide variety of materials and techniques using both 2D and 3D media such as drawing and painting, lino cuts, silkscreen printing, graphics, textiles, photography, digital editing, sculpture, mod roc, glass and clay. They also look at and use the work of other artists for inspiration which involves gallery visits to key exhibitions in locations such as London, Liverpool and York. Each year we provide students with the opportunity to work with an artist in residence during a whole day workshop. These sessions undoubtedly enhance the coursework portfolio and provide students with practical experience working alongside other professionals. We have worked with Ross Eccles and Gosha Gibek most recently and are excited to welcome the world-renowned artist Ian Murphy later this year.
Skills gained within Art and Design qualifications are often transferrable in a variety of other areas such as: Photography, Art History, Graphics, Web Design, Industrial Design, Automobile Design, Textiles, Jewellery, Interior Design and Gallery curator. Many of our students have continued to study at degree level in range of different areas such as Architecture, Special Effects Make-Up, Fashion Design, Animation, Dentistry and Advertising and Marketing.
Art is well worth studying and practicing, it is one of those activities by which you can widen your horizons and enrich all aspects of your life.
GCSE Photography
Studying Photography at GCSE teaches students to improve the quality of their images and also how to use a DSLR camera in a sophisticated and innovative way. In today’s society photographs are used to not only document our everyday lives and experiences through Apps such as Instagram, Twitter and Facebook but also open the door to a range of career opportunities. Photography is a highly diverse medium which is used within many genres including fashion, film, food, engineering, advertising, portraiture, editorial, forensic, industrial, documentary, aerial, wedding, sports and travel etc.
The GCSE course teaches students how to compose their images in different ways by using the formal elements of Photography with skill such as viewpoint, line, symmetry, black and white or colour and repetition. Students quickly become competent in the effective use of Adobe Photoshop which they use to organise, edit and enhance their photos. By exploring a wide range of themes and photographers we aim to inspire our students to generate innovative imagery. The photographic studio is a huge asset and can be used to experiment with different lighting techniques, lenses and props to take the quality of work produced to the next level. In addition to the production of high-quality photographs students also learn how to use a wide range of creative techniques to present them in both 2D and 3D formats, such as silkscreen printing, multiple exposures, photomontage, collage and transfer printing. Trips out of the school environment and the classroom provide photography students with invaluable first-hand experiences of exhibitions, contemporary culture and new locations from which they can capture exciting imagery.
Annual exhibition
At the end of the GCSE and A Level courses we organise an annual exhibition to celebrate the achievements of the students which showcases their very best work. Visitors enjoy viewing the work up close, meeting the artists and photographers, hearing about their ideas, working practises, and thought processes. It is an evening of great pride for staff, students and parents alike.
