Art & Photography

Why is the subject important?

Studying art helps our students with the development of motor skills, communication skills, decision-making, risk-taking and creativity. GCSE art provides challenges for learners at all levels. Art helps connect students with their own culture as well as with the wider world. Having a solid knowledge of a creative subject is also extremely desirable for future employers. We also highlight the importance our subject has on health, wellbeing and life balances outside the world of work and education, and we firmly believe that a strong appreciation of art will enrich the students’ lives long after their education at our academy.

Year 7

During Year 7 the students will cover 3 topics: Animals, Artist’s Pallet and Story Telling. The students will study 6 different projects within these topics. Our curriculum enables pupils to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding, exploring and experimenting across a range of different media and techniques. Sketchbooks support the development of work and ideas leading to final outcomes both, 2D and 3D. The projects include:

  • Animals in Costume Illustration
  • Animal Pen Pattern
  • Surreal Painted Portraits
  • Printmaking Portraits
  • Sea Creature Ceramics
  • The Legend of the Kraken – Paper Engineering.

All the projects contain our golden threads of:

  • Icons and Individuals – Where our students are introduced to artists, craftspeople, designers and architects from ancient times to the present day
  • History and Culture – Where our students learn about the historic and cultural contexts that have shaped the world of art through the ages
  • Theory – Where our students study the theory behind different artistic processes and decision-making including ‘Colour Theory’
  • Processes – Where our students learn and practice new skills, techniques, and how to use equipment effectively
  • Creativity – Where our students reflect on their new skills and apply them to a final piece
  • A strong link to the STEM subjects is embedded throughout the projects in Year 7.

Career Links 

Term 1 – Illustrator

Term 2 – Graphic Designer

Term 3 – Portrait Artist

Term 4 – Printmaker

Term 5 – Ceramicist

Term 6 – Packaging Designer

How will I be assessed? 

Each project will be given a percentage mark for the ‘skill-building’ elements and the final piece, which will indicate the progression of the individual student’s skills throughout Year 7. The overall ‘learning journey’ will be formally assessed 3 times a year with all practical work marked holistically based on 4 key performance indicators: Inspiration, materials and equipment, observation and final outcome.

Which websites should I use to support my learning? 

What will I be studying?

During Year 8 the students will cover 3 topics: Around the World, Textured Jungles and Best of British. The students will study 6 different projects within these topics. Our curriculum enables pupils to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding, exploring and experimenting across a range of different media and techniques. Sketchbooks support the development of work and ideas leading to final outcomes, both 2D and 3D. The projects include:

  • Day of the Dead Collage
  • Low Relief Cardboard Dutch Buildings
  • Expressive Mixed Media Jungles
  • Digital Jungles
  • British Landscapes
  • British Food Illustration and Photorealism.

All the projects contain our golden threads of:

  • Icons and Individuals – Where our students are introduced to artists, craftspeople, designers and architects from ancient times to the present day
  • History and Culture – Where our students learn about the historic and cultural contexts that have shaped the world of art through the ages
  • Theory – Where our students study the theory behind different artistic processes and decision-making including ‘Colour Theory’
  • Processes – Where our students learn and practice new skills, techniques, and how to use equipment effectively
  • Creativity – Where our students reflect on their new skills and apply them to a final piece
  • A strong link to the STEM subjects is embedded throughout the projects in Year 8.

Career Links

Term 1 – Curator
Term 2 – Architect
Term 3 – Children’s book Author and Illustrator
Term 4 – Digital Artist and Website design
Term 5 – Fine Artist
Term 6 – Photographer

How will I be assessed?

Each project will be given a percentage mark for the ‘skill-building’ elements and the final piece, which will indicate the progression of the individual student’s skills throughout Year 8. The overall ‘learning journey’ will be formally assessed 3 times a year with all practical work marked holistically based on 4 key performance indicators: Inspiration, materials and equipment, observation and final outcome.

Which websites should I use to support my learning?

What will I be studying?

Component One:

Our students will start the course with initial guided projects to support the development of knowledge and skills that leads to independent study and investigation. Our projects are designed to allow students to build on skills through a wide range of opportunities and experiences, as well as celebrating our students’ individual talents and interests. The students will create a portfolio of work and have the opportunity to work larger scale, both 2D and 3D. This will include producing work based on the following 3 themes:

  • Anatomy
  • Natural Forms
  • Architecture.

Materials and Techniques:

  • Observation drawing
  • Other drawing techniques
  • Photography
  • Painting
  • Collage
  • Printmaking
  • Digital Manipulation using Photoshop
  • Ceramics
  • 3D construction.

Externally Set Assignment:

Students respond to their chosen starting point from an externally set assignment paper relating to their subject title, evidencing coverage of all four assessment objectives.

How will I be assessed?

Component One:

The students’ portfolio of work will be marked holistically based on the four assessment objectives.

  • No time limit
  • 96 marks
  • 60% of GCSE

Externally Set Assignment:

The students’ portfolio of work will be marked holistically based on the four assessment objectives.

  • Preparatory period followed by 10 hours of supervised time
  • 96 marks
  • 40% of GCSE

Which examination board am I following?

Exam Board: AQA

Specification: GCSE Art, Craft and Design

Website: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/art-and-design/gcse/art-and-design-8201-8206

Which websites should I use to support my learning?

What will I be studying?

Component One:

Our GCSE photography course gives our students the opportunity to explore and develop their creativity through the use of digital technology. The students will learn how research, exploration and development of work and ideas leads to the production of focused final outcomes. E-portfolios are used to record the creative journey and development of work, ideas, shoots and outcomes. Independent study and the taking of own photographs, outside of the classroom, is actively encouraged! The students will produce work based on the following themes:

  • Still Life
  • Disguise.

 Skills and Techniques:

  • Using a camera (Nikon Coolpix A100 and Nikon DSLR)
  • Still Life Photography
  • Adobe Photoshop editing
  • Drawing to show ideas
  • Composition rules
  • Portraiture Photography
  • Use of the studio – High Key Lighting
  • Use of the studio – Low Key Lighting
  • Use of photography on location
  • Mixed Media Photography.

Externally Set Assignment:

Students respond to their chosen starting point from an externally set assignment paper relating to their subject title, evidencing coverage of all four assessment objectives.

How will I be assessed?

Component One:

The students’ portfolio of work will be marked holistically based on the four assessment objectives.

  • No time limit
  • 96 marks
  • 60% of GCSE

Externally Set Assignment:

The students’ portfolio of work will be marked holistically based on the four assessment objectives.

  • Preparatory period followed by 10 hours of supervised time
  • 96 marks
  • 40% of GCSE

Which examination board am I following?

Exam Board: AQA

Specification: GCSE Photography

Website: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/art-and-design/gcse/art-and-design-8201-8206/subject-content/photography

Which websites should I use to support my learning?

Ofsted Outstanding Provider
Trinity Scholars

Trinity Scholar students benefit from an additional investment of up to £6000

Click to find out more!