Stage 3 we aim to engage the boys with exciting and interesting projects designed inline with The National Curriculum. All projects explore the work of relevant artists and encourage students to develop their own ideas in response to the themes being studied. Every project ends with students producing a final piece, which could be anything from a painting, a collage, a clay model, a print, an ICT manipulation to a sculpture. Knowledge, skills and understanding are built upon and developed over the key stage, with students exploring a wide range of ideas, processes, resources and techniques.
In Year 7 we give pupils a good grounding in basic drawing by focussing on observation and tool techniques using line, tone and texture. They then explore colour, pattern and printing in a mixed media building project and complete the year with clay modelling and stop-motion animation on the theme of Gargoyles.
In Year 8 pupils develop their understanding of colour by linking it to emotions. They explore how to develop their own ideas using art, craft and design research to further their understanding. They are encouraged to find their own resources and produce personal final pieces. They develop their understanding of the formal elements through the themed projects of Telling Stories, Art in Boxes, Fear Portraits and Organic Architecture. They will be given additional opportunities to work on group projects and produce larger scale work.
In Year 9 the pupils are encouraged to work on longer more individual projects that are similar in content to the art GCSE course. They are encouraged through media, processes and techniques workshops to develop and extend their own ideas into more elaborate final pieces. By the end of the year students are familiar and well prepared for the art GCSE course should they choose to continue.
Key Stage 4
The GCSE Art course focuses on three main areas: knowledge, skills and understanding. It combines the academic study of art with creative activities and the development of practical skills. The theory work helps students to gain a sound knowledge and understanding of art by exploring different styles and genres and investigating a whole range of materials, techniques and processes. Students then draw upon what they have learned to explore and produce their own work, working towards a final piece/s. It is expected that GCSE students will acquire high levels of technical competence and manipulative skills. Students will be expected to work independently both in class and at home. Students spend the two years of their GCSE course developing two or three coursework projects and an examination project. The projects will provide opportunities for students to experience new materials and processes and to acquire knowledge of the visual and tactile elements of art. By the end of the course students will have explored the themes of made still-life, natural forms, the portrait and figure, architecture and landscape. Their ideas will be realised through a variety of 2D, 3D and digital media including the study of relevant contextual research. Each project will provide students with the ability to solve problems with an understanding of the design process, from the initial idea, through the various stages to the final piece/s.
Key Stage 5
At key stage 5 students will build upon their good grounding in art and design from their earlier courses. Our key stage 5 students can choose to study either A' Level Art & Design, A' Level or GCSE Photography, BTEC National Award in Art & Design or BTEC First Certificate in Art & Design courses depending on their previous experience and attainment and where they are better suited.
All key stage 5 courses allow students to develop their practical and theoretical knowledge and understanding of art. Students will initially build on and develop their recording skills and demonstrate skilful use of the formal elements. They will experiment with a wide range of media and methods to successfully develop and communicate their vocational or fine art ideas. The projects will provide opportunities for students to experience new materials and processes and to acquire knowledge of the visual and tactile elements of art. By the end of the courses students will have explored personal themed projects and be realised through a variety of 2D, 3D and digital media including study of relevant contextual research. Each project will provide students with the ability to solve problems with an understanding of the design process, from the initial idea, through the various stages to the final piece/s
Art & Design courses focus on exploring creativity through various 2D, 3D and digital techniques. Students initially develop their responses to the world around them in new and interesting ways through the formal elements; line, tone, texture, colour, shape, pattern, structure and form. Practical work forms the majority of the course, combined with researching the theory of different genres of art and design, supported by visits to museums and art galleries. This all leads students towards developing their own sketchbooks and final piece/s for each project. A' Level students develop their ability to record observations of the visual world based on a chosen theme. Through written and practical analysis of art and design, students will develop ideas through sustained investigations and exploration, selecting and experimenting with materials and showing original ideas in their work. Students will be showing an individual and personal response to each project set with connections to other artists and designers, which will lead them towards completing a final piece/s. The vocational Btec courses offer students an additional vocational experience with a planned outcome they work towards achieving.
Photography courses focus on exploring creativity through digital and dark room based techniques. Students initially develop their responses to the world around them in new and interesting ways through the formal elements; line, repetition, texture, space, shape, focus, light and value. Practical work forms the majority of the course, combined with researching the theory of different genres of photography, supported by visits to museums and art galleries. This all leads students towards developing their own sketchbooks and final piece/s for each project. GCSE students spend the one year developing coursework projects and an examination project. A' Level students develop their ability to record observations of the visual world based on a chosen theme. Through written and practical analysis of photography, students will develop ideas through sustained investigations and exploration, selecting and experimenting with materials and showing original ideas in their work. Students will be showing an individual and personal response to each project set with connections to other photographers, which will lead them towards completing a final piece/s.
Extra Curricular/ Trips/ Rewards
We offer students the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of extra curricular art and design. There is a lunchtime club one day a week which is open to all students and part of our once a week enrichment hour, we offer students the chance to take part in creative projects such as paper-mache modeling, clay modeling and plasticine animation and film and digital photography that last over the course of a term. Each term we organise cross- curricular enterprise days where working in groups students have designed a Velopark for the 2012 Olympics, futuristic school architecture, and light shades. We encourage students to take part in school, local and national competitions and exhibitions and current opportunities are advertised through our virtual learning environment and notice board. Students also have opportunities to take part in special art days and activities both inside and outside of school that encourage different ways of thinking and exploring creative ideas.
Our most recent successes in 2008 include a huge Big Draw drawing day in the school hall, a photography exhibition at the OXO Gallery in London, enameling workshops with a local artist, year 9 photography trips in Tonbridge, work experience artist in residence mural, basketball court murals, Hayesbrook Summer Art Exhibition, art animation trip to London, a National Doodle day competitions, Tunnel Gallery student exhibition, 6th form Life Drawing classes, year 8 Tudeley Church trip, Jeans for Genes Day mural in collaboration with local artist, Spray and Grafitti art workshops and exhibtion, and numerous art, architecture and photography day trips to London. Upcoming opportunities include taster days at University College of Creative Arts in Maidstone, an Art Live Day at The University of London, an ICT in Art student exhibition, a joint schools student art exhibition and a film competition
