KS3 & KS4 Art & Design
As the Art and Design Department at Townsend we aim that every student should gain and develop a lifelong love of Art & Design in whatever way, shape or form. We do this by helping students develop skills and ways of thinking that are transferable into other areas in their life and future careers.
As a department we want students to understand that Art is not only a practical subject but academic as it engages with: history, politics and society, social, economic, cultural and spiritual aspects of the past, present and future. Our curriculum aims to help student’s students to develop an understanding of the different beliefs, values and viewpoints of various artists, craft persons and designers, which ties in with our Respect for all policy.
Our vision is that the overwhelming majority of our students will achieve their personal bests throughout the course and move into higher education in Art, and some into Art and Design based careers. That students become independent learners and thinkers through a varied curriculum at KS3, 4 and 5.
Course Details
The course follows the Townsend Curriculum alongside the National Curriculum as a guide covering a range of topics throughout Years 7 and 8.
Course Description
The KS3 Art and Design Curriculum at Townsend encourages students to develop their creativity and self expression. Students are able to develop these skills by using a wide variety of media, techniques and processes throughout year 7 and 8 ,building on prior learning from KS2. Through a knowledge rich curriculum students are introduced to range of different artists, art movements and cultures, learning about the impact of art and design on society and the wider world. The curriculum focuses on the key formal element of art through a range of different topic titles with each project aiming to build on prior learning from year 7 through to year 9.
Programme of Study
Students will work through three different topics and engage in practical tasks, discussion, group work and homework projects. Each theme is designed to develop a balance of practical skills, knowledge and understanding. Students will experiment with both 2D and 3D formats and explore techniques including painting, printing, collage and sculpture.
Year 7
Term 1
Baseline Test
- Student do a baseline test in order to identify their individual starting points from prior learning. Accurate assessment of drawing skills, making skills, understanding of art and evaluation are all tested.
- Baseline testing in Art and Design – Paul Carney (used for test)
Observational drawing / Still life – Vanitas project
- In year 7 students begin to develop a more realistic style of drawing and are taught the importance of keen observation, accurate line and use of tone. Students are Introduced to the key formal element of art through drawing of the basic shapes developing up to a still life based on Dutch Vanitas paintings.
Term 2
Colour theory / animals – Franz Marc
- Introduction to Colour theory, the colour wheel, colour mixing and paint application focusing on the theme of animals and the Expressionist artist Franz Marc.
Term 3
3D construction – Aboriginal art
- In this 3D project, which has clear cross curricular links, students will learn about the Indigenous Aboriginal people of Australia, their lifestyle, beliefs and art work(SMSC). Students will create work which reflects these beliefs, developing drawing skills, their understanding of different painting techniques and mixed media in order to create their own 3D piece.
Year 8
Term 1
Baseline Test
- Student do a baseline test in order to identify pupil’s individual starting points from prior learning in Year 7 to now. Accurate assessment of drawing skills, making skills, understanding of art and evaluation are all tested.
Portraiture – Cubism and Picasso
- This project aims to cover the basic of portraiture. Students will be introduced to the history of portraiture and varying styles focusing of Cubism and Picasso. Through drawing activities students will developed their own final cubist inspired portrait.
Term 2
3D Fish – Surrealist fish-shoe project
- This project focuses on developing students observational drawing skills further, focusing on the key formal elements of art. Students will also learn about Surrealism and two prominent artists in this movement, Salvador Dali and Rene Magritte. They will then develop design ideas and a final 3D outcome, the ‘fish-shoe’.
Term 3
Identity linking to the theme of Who Am I? – Pop Art
- For the is project the focus is on self-identity. Student will take a look at who they are and what defines them as an individual. This project will have many cross curricular links as we look at beliefs and cultural identity too(SMSC) Students will learn about Pop Art and Pop Art artists which will inspire their own outcomes.
Assessment
Regular assessment of work is used to promote and improve learning. Students are assessed through formative, summative and peer assessment.
Home Learning
Students are given artist based research to complete in the form of extended projects.
Where can Art and Design take you
Further Study
- GCSE Art
- A Level Art
- Fine Art
- Art and Design
- Graphic Communication
- Textiles
- 3-Dimensional Design
Careers
- Artist
- Interior Designer
- Set Designer
- Animator
- Web Designer
- Graphic Designer
- Graphic Illustrator
- Fine Artist
- Commercial Artist
- Museum Curator
- Digital 3D Modeller
- Video Games Designer
Student Art Guide – https://www.studentartguide.com/articles/art-careers-list
How parents can support their child’s learning
- To encourage them to continue to develop their skills in this subject outside of the classroom, utilising online videos as a means to practise and improve further.
- Ask them about what they have been taught at school in order to reinforce prior learning.
- To support them in improving their knowledge and understanding of different artists, craft persons and designers. This can be done through in-depth research and visits to see works of art first hand in museums and galleries, locally and in the wider area if possible.
Useful Links
- Paul Carney Arts – https://www.paulcarneyarts.com/key-stage-3-art
- Drawing Tutorials – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz5HDRMEF1E
- Arty Factory – https://www.artyfactory.com/