Subject: Art, Craft and Design
Art is one of the very best ways that we as humans interact with the world around us. Art helps us to look inward and outside of ourselves in order to make meaning of what we experience and to express our understanding of it. At Paddington Academy we aren’t just interested in making good looking images and objects. We’re keen to explore the relationship between theory and practice and to understand how art connects us to our world and cultural history. Art creates openings and horizons to new ways of seeing, thinking, doing and being. Knowledge and experience of media, techniques and processes are the building blocks for visual communication.
What will students learn?
In the Art and Design GCSE, students will learn about a range of art and design movements, artists and both historical and contemporary cultural influences. The GCSE will develop students' creativity (the process of coming up with original ideas that have value), their ability to tolerate uncertainty, work independently and to develop their own ideas. They will have the opportunity to work in a range of media from paint and clay, to printing and photoshop. There will be real practical and transferable skills with many degrees and careers in and out of the arts. It brings out students’ passions and it’s fun! At PA, we love our art family!
In KS4 students will study
Students will explore the following media, techniques and processes:
- Oil, watercolour and acrylic painting
- Lino-printing | Etching | Monoprinting | Monotyping
- Drawing techniques (both experimental and traditional)
- Sculpture through use of clay
- Photoshop and photography
- Collage and decollage
Students will explore the following themes (these themes are designed to be prompts only and all students are encouraged to develop their work in a personal and way):
- Introduction to Art GCSE through portraiture
- Myths and legends
- Contextual study informed by museum or gallery visit
How will students receive feedback?
At Paddington, all students will receive regular feedback from formative assessment tasks. Within the curriculum, specific tasks are allocated for feedback. This ensures all students gain regular feedback. Teachers will mark student work and provide targeted feedback that enables students to improve their work and make progress. To support student understanding, teachers plan high-quality re-teach time to prepare students for their feedback. Across each term, students will receive feedback from multiple tasks.
What examinations / assessments do students have at the end of KS4?
Exam board: Edexcel
Component 1 (Worth 60% of the GCSE Grade)
- This consists of three major projects that students develop over the two year course.
Component 2
- Exam paper released in January (year 11), culminating in a 10 hour practical exam.
What resources can be used to support learning?
All students are given a set of acrylic paints, watercolour paints, graded pencils, palette and paintbrushes