Art

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."

Pablo Picasso

"Creativity is intelligence having fun"

Albert Einstein

The Art department consists of 4 large classrooms, 3 teaching rooms and one ceramics studio; all rooms are open plan so that students can access feedback, support and guidance from all members of the teaching staff. Students have access to ICT facilities including cameras and photo editing software. During Key Stage 3 students have one double lesson consisting of 100 minutes of Art lessons, this increases to three lessons consisting of 150 minutes in Key Stage 4.

The Aim

Our Art experience provides a broad, balanced & ambitious curriculum that nurtures student’s creative excellence by equipping them with a wide range of skills using various media, materials and processes and encourages them to become creative, independent, confident and skilled artists.

Students have the opportunity to participate in lessons and experiences that accelerate, challenge and enrich their learning. In Key Stage 3 students are taught by each member of the department for one term, each project delivered will be focused to build upon prior knowledge, students will experience 3 projects per year. In Key Stage 4 students work with one member of staff and explore a wide range of projects/themes/starting points, all of which are planned to address the GCSE assessment objectives thus preparing them for their examination in year 11.

Art and Design is a rapidly-growing area in education and opportunities for employment have never been more promising. Art and Design affects many areas of our lives. Artists, crafts people and designers shape our daily lives to a great extent, from the clothes we wear to the magazines we read and the gadgets we enjoy using so much. Interactive television, computer search engines, digital photography and stunning computer games ensure that our young people now engage more than ever with highly-sophisticated imagery. We critique and use the work of artists, both past and present, as inspiration for all the work we create at The Weston Road Academy.

Key Stage 4 Information

Courses offered at GCSE Level – OCR Exam board

GCSE Art & Design – Fine Art

GCSE Photography

Component 1: Portfolio

This is a portfolio of Art work which will be facilitated by staff to encourage a variety of different ideas, techniques and processes in each chosen course. Students will be directed to explore a range of artists, designers and crafts people to inspire a broad range of ideas. The unit will be separated into a series projects concentrating on various themes, devised to equip students with a broad range of skills. The development of these projects will prepare students to explore their own ideas, themes and concepts towards a personal response.

60% of the final grade (marked out of 120)

Component 2: Externally set task

Students will be given an externally-set assignment in the form of an exam paper which will contain a series of exciting starting points (January of Year 11). Students will choose one question and have approximately 10 weeks to research and develop work. At the end of the preparation period students will be invigilated during a 10 hour exam period during which time a personal response to the development of their work must be completed.

40% of the final grade (marked out of 80)

GCSE Assessment Objectives

• AO1 - Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources.
• AO2 - Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials,
• techniques and processes.
• AO3 - Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses.
• AO4 - Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language.

Key Stage 5 Information

Courses offered at A Level – AQA Exam board

A Level Art and Design (Art, Craft and Design)

Component 1: Personal investigation

This is a practical investigation supported by written material. Students are required to conduct a practical investigation, into an idea, issue, concept or theme, supported by written material. The focus of the investigation must be identified independently by the student and must lead to a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes. The investigation should be a coherent, in-depth study that demonstrates the student’s ability to construct and develop a sustained line of reasoning from an initial starting point to a final realisation.

60% of the A level

Component 2: Externally set assignment

Following receipt of the exam paper (February of Year 13) students will consider the starting points and select one. Preparatory work will be presented in any suitable format, such as mounted sheets, design sheets, sketchbooks, workbooks, journals, models and maquettes. Following the preparatory period, students must complete 15 hours of unaided, supervised time.

40% of the A Level

A Level Assessment Objectives

• AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.
• AO2: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops.
• AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress.
• AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements. 

Homework

Homework in Key Stage 3 -Extended homework tasks are set on a termly basis as stated in the academy homework calendar, staff set a task which is linked to the scheme of learning and all homework tasks are research driven, research will be presented and accompanied by art work and analysis. Homework is marked in line with the academy marking policy, feedback is provided and students are expected to respond to feedback.

Homework in Key Stage 4 – homework is set to support and extend learning, homework is typically set on a fortnightly basis. Homework can be research based, drawing based, material based or deadlines are set and students are expected to work on projects at home. Homework is marked in line with the academy marking policy, feedback is provided and students are expected to respond to feedback.

Homework in Key Stage 5 is set to support and contextualise the personal investigation, it is set to be personal to the students chosen direction. Homework is set weekly and is usually completed in sketchbooks.

Assessment

Art work is assessed in line with the academy marking policy, Art work is marked using the SAIL approach which enables students to respond to marking & feedback, improve their Art work and progress their skills. Year 7 – 11 are marked using the GCSE assessment grid, allowing students to understand GCSE criteria.

Assessment Objectives Art

Assessment Objectives Photography

ART GCSE grid

Photography GCSE grid 

Extra-curricular Activities

The Art department run a GCSE catch up session after school on a Monday where teaching staff are available for support & guidance. Mrs Tracey runs a KS3 Art club on a Wednesday lunch, offering Art workshops & a variety of Art projects to participate in. The KS3 Art club are currently working on the stage set / props for the school show. The Art rooms / staff are available at lunch times if required. The Art department run Art trips to galleries & museums and have an Artist in Residence ‘Ian Murphy’ coming in, to work with art students in January 2023.

Useful Links

 https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/subjects/z6hs34j

 https://www.studentartguide.com/articles/art-sketchbook-ideas

 www.pinterest.co.uk

Staff List

The teaching and support staff are currently:

Mrs N Tracey Subject Leader for Art and Photography ntracey@westonroad.staffs.sch.uk

Mrs Owen Teacher of Art/Year 8 Pastoral Leader towen@westonroad.staffs.sch.uk

Miss N Tonks Teacher of Art/Director of Transition ntonks@westonroad.staffs.sch.uk