Why do we learn Art?
Head of Department
Year 7
Year 8
Year 9
Studying Art at GCSE
Year 10
Year 11

Why do we learn Art?

Ark Alexandra’s Art & Photography Curriculum aims to: 

  • Promote an interest in traditional and contemporary art from the local community and the wider world. 

  • Inspire a love of creating and provide opportunities for students to experiment with different materials, techniques and processes. 

  • Cultivate students’ ability and confidence to express themselves, and the value of their own and others’ experiences. 

  • Challenge and stretch our students as artists to develop their personal potential and open doors to career pathways. 

  • Support students to be independent, self-motivated and resilient. 

Students are encouraged to reflect which is a distinctive principle of Christianity and other faiths. They also learn to celebrate difference by acknowledging individuality and the understanding that every person deserves to be valued. 

Head of Department

Head of Art and Design Technology

Kelly Hawes

Year 7

Rotation 1
Drawing and Discovery

  • Students will be introduced to the art formal elements. 

  • Mark making, tonal value, texture and form. 

  • Experimentation with materials and processes. 

  • Observational drawing skills based on natural forms. 

  • Create responses to Lucy McLaughlin.
Rotation 2
Abstraction, Colour and Pattern

  • Colour theory 

  • Painting skills 

  • Create responses to Abstract painter Beatriz Milhazes. 

All Year 7 subjects Next Year 7 Subject - Modern Foreign Languages

Year 8

Rotation 1
The Creative Still Life

  • Exploring composition  

  • Using the art formal elements 

  • Create responses to Yayoi Kusama 
Rotation 2
Exploration of Print

  • Exploring print techniques 

  • Lino printing 

  • Mono printing 

All Year 8 subjects Next Year 8 Subject - Modern Foreign Languages

Year 9

Rotation 1
Perspective

  • One- and two-point perspective. 

  • Five-point perspective. 

  • Landscape painting exploring background and foregrounds. 
Rotation 2
Sense of Place

  • Create backgrounds exploring different processes. 

  • Using mono printing to explore layering of imagery. 

  • Create work inspired by a selection of artists. 

All Year 9 subjects Next Year 9 Subject - Modern Foreign Languages

Studying Art at GCSE

Year 10

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Recording Observations Research and Experimentation

  • Introduction to assessment criteria 

  • Observation and recording skills 

  • Investigating contextual references 

  • Experimentation with materials, techniques and processes 
Spring 1 Spring 2

Development and Responses

 Independent Project

  • Recording observations 

  • Idea development and refinement  

  • Application of skills in own responses 

  • Investigation on a theme 

  • Initial responses and idea development 
Summer 1 Summer 2
Independent Project Independent Project

  • Contextual references 

  • Experimentation with materials, techniques and processes 

  • Idea development and refinement 

  • Application of skills in creation of personal responses 

All Year 10 subjects Next Year 10 Subject - Modern Foreign Languages

Year 11

Autumn 1 Autumn 2
Independent Project Independent Project

  • Review intentions 

  • Artist Investigations 

  • Recording observations 

  • Experimentation and extending ideas 

  • Recording observations and experimentation 

  • Planning and refinement of ideas 

  • Creation of final response or responses 
Spring 1 Spring 2
Externally Set Exam Externally Set Exam

  • Exam paper - select a theme 

  • Research and investigations 

  • Initial responses  
  • Recording observations and idea development through a range of materials, techniques and processes 
Summer 1 Summer 2
Externally Set Exam -

  • Further experimentation and planning of refined ideas  

  • Creation of final responses 

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All Year 11 subjects Next Year 11 Subject - Modern Foreign Languages