“Every child is an artist” Picasso
At King’s we believe a high-quality art education should inspire, engage, challenge, and build confidence and self-expression in students, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, create and produce their own works of art, craft and design. As children progress, they should be able to develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design and think critically. At King’s, we endeavour to offer students a knowledge-rich curriculum with opportunities to experiment with a range of techniques, and new skills and be introduced to art movements. We aim to instil a deep passion and understanding of the subject and for all students to recognise the many benefits of studying art and design. We believe art and design not only help to develop a new skill but also create a broad-mindedness and inquisitiveness for other cultures as well as a deeper understanding of the world. As a Department, we aim to ensure that all pupils produce imaginative work, record their experiences and explore their ideas.
We strive to enable all pupils to become skilled in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques. Pupils analyse and evaluate creative works using the language of art, craft and design and get to know about craft makers, great artists and designers, understanding the historical and cultural development of their art forms. Our Key Stage 3 curriculum encourages students’ creativity, develops basic skills in preparation for GCSE and builds confidence in the arts. Cultural links and art history are embedded within projects at all levels. We inspire students to advance their skills across a range of disciplines. We aim to provide a basis for students to continue their creative flight paths or pursue further education.
By studying Art, pupils will build self-confidence in using a variety of media as they will learn how to use them successfully to complete an outcome. The art department strongly believes that by studying art, pupils will learn that artwork has often been a way for artists to overcome challenges, express their feelings and fight for a cause- pupils will learn this through looking at the historical context of art.
KS4- 1 hour per week
KS4- AQA GCSE 2 hours per week
The projects we develop are carefully tailored to match the typical exam starting points and provide a platform to enable students to meet all assessment objectives.
The national curriculum for art and design aims to ensure that all pupils:
At the beginning of every learning cycle students are provided with a knowledge organiser with key information and keywords to support the scheme of work. Terminology is embedded through subject specialist teaching, using and applying vocabulary repeatedly throughout teaching and learning. At King’s, each Art lesson has a focus on a subject-specific word, designed to increase pupils’ language proficiency and grammatical knowledge. This is done through a ‘Key Word’ of the lesson which also appears in the focus of the lesson hypothesis. Terminology is embedded through subject specialist teaching, using and applying vocabulary repeatedly throughout teaching and learning, allowing students with Cognition and Learning difficulties opportunities for further recall.
Learners will analyse artists' work and will gain confidence in forming opinions and giving feedback to others. This includes discussion and asking questions, and continually improving the accuracy of their art understanding and application. The curriculum sees the development of students through a range of art movements and techniques which increases in difficulty and understanding through KS3, preparing students for GCSE. In each learning cycle, students will follow the same steps which mirror the GCSE curriculum. Students will research a range of artists and then begin to experiment with a selection of different techniques and mediums. Each learning cycle works towards a four-week assessment- taking direct inspiration from an artist/art movement. At GCSE level students will complete a total of 3 coursework projects.
The first project will be teacher-led with clear instructions and directions on how to produce a successful GCSE sketchbook project. The second two projects will be independently led by the students with many opportunities to develop their own personal ideas and styles. Students will need to demonstrate perseverance throughout the course and learn that mistakes are what help us to improve. However, slowly taking away teacher directions across each project, means that students with potential barriers to learning can slowly build their independence in the subject whilst still feeling supported.
The curriculum allows and plans for 2 lessons of skill building and a lesson to address misconceptions before starting a 4-hour final assessment. Work is marked every 3 lessons and verbal feedback is provided continually throughout the lesson. Students will be provided with personalised tasks to reflect on and improve their previous work. Skills which link directly to our ASPIRE values such as endeavour, integrity, aspiration, and achievement as it takes hard work and dedication not only in school but outside of the school setting to become proficient and excel. Intellectual habits serve students in great stead no matter what direction their flight path may take.
Throughout a student’s time at King’s they will study a range of topics gaining knowledge of world cultures. Learners will visit art galleries which will broaden their cultural knowledge.
2023 -24 Art & Design Subject Narrative