In year 7, students get to experience a broad range of media and techniques. They start with an ‘Introduction to Art’, looking at Mark Making, painting, tone, and collage. Then they move onto a project about Bugs, where they are given the opportunity to draw a wide range of insects in a variety of media, looking at symmetry and pattern. During the year, they look at the work of different artists and make detailed studies of their work.

In year 8, students build on skills learnt in the previous year, becoming more confident at using paint, tone and drawing from observation.

The first project is Natural forms, in which they study shape and forms found in nature. They will get the opportunity to use clay at the end of this project. Then they move onto the Architecture project in which they look at a variety of buildings in detail. Over the year, students will have the opportunity to look at the work of different artists and architects and become inspired by their work.

Students complete a landscape unit which focuses on improving a range of art skills this includes experiencing a range of media. The Year 9 curriculum ensures that students are well prepared for GCSE Art but also fosters techniques applied in Photography GCSE

Students who have chosen Art & Design for a GCSE subject start their first internal portfolio project, ‘Play’ and develop their skills and techniques over the 2-year course. The student’s ‘portfolio’ is 60% of the final grade for the course. The subject is coursework heavy and requires students to work with a proficient level of independence in developing ideas through practical exploration.

Students who have chosen Art & Design for a GCSE subject start their first internal portfolio project, ‘Play’ and develop their skills and techniques over the 2-year course. The student’s ‘portfolio’ is 60% of the final grade for the course. The subject is coursework heavy and requires students to work with a proficient level of independence in developing ideas through practical exploration.