Art & Photography

The Art and Photography curriculum is designed to develop confident, creative and independent learners through a broad, skills-based and knowledge-rich programme of study. Students are taught to understand how artists, designers and photographers use materials, techniques and visual language to communicate ideas, emotions and meaning across cultures and time.

From Year 7, students build strong foundations in observational drawing, mark making, colour theory, tonal work, photography and presentation. Learning is carefully sequenced to develop procedural knowledge of materials and processes alongside declarative knowledge of artists, movements and cultural contexts. Students explore a wide range of disciplines including ceramics, cultural art, modern art movements and digital photography, using the work of key artists to inform and inspire their own creative responses.

As students progress through KS3 and KS4, they develop increasing independence through personalised projects, creative problem solving and reflective refinement of their work. GCSE and A-level courses extend this further through sustained studio practice, contextual research and disciplined experimentation, supporting ambition and high-quality outcomes.

Across all key stages, Art and Photography develop transferable skills such as resilience, critical thinking, collaboration and visual literacy. Students leave the subject equipped with creative confidence, cultural capital and the ability to communicate ideas visually, preparing them for further study, creative careers and lifelong engagement with the arts.

Art- Year 7

Projects

• Term 1 Expressionism
• Term 2 Shadow Puppets
• Term 3 Impressionism

Art- Year 8

Projects

• T1 -Aboriginal / Cultural Art – restricted colours and marks – exploring themes that link ideas within cultural art – into our own lives.
• T2 – Heroes & Villains project (*)–Open Project.
• T3 – Pop Art –

Art- Year 9

Projects

• T1 – V&A Innovate competition
• T2 – Decon –Recon – Open brief
• T3 – Fragmentation

Fine Art GCSE – Year 10 & 11

Projects

• Natural forms –
• Cultural – Latin American art. Within the theme ‘Hopes, Dreams & fears’.
• Sustained (personal) project.
• Students create their own theme – they will then focus on this until December 15th of yr 11.
• Externally set assignment.
  Jan – Yr 11 – May

Fine Art A Level – Year 12 & 13

Projects

• Still life Squares –
• Portrait, Places & Objects
  Jan to Easter yr 12. Students begin to explore ideas towards their own thematic study whilst looking at the fundamentals of portraiture & composition.
• Sustained (personal) project.
  Students create their own theme – they will then focus on this until January 31st of yr 13.
• Externally set assignment.
  Feb – Yr 13 – May.
  Students have to select a project theme from the exam paper – they will then produce a journal & folder of work – culminating in a 15 hr timed test.