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: 

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

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

    • Nurture students’ ability and confidence to independently express themselves.

    Christian Values

    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

Leader of Art and Design Technology

Sonny Woodhead

Year 7

  • Students will be introduced to the art formal elements - line, shape, tone, form, texture, pattern, colour and space. 

  • Students will apply their understanding of these through observational drawing of natural forms.  

  • They will create personal responses using pen and wash, and mark making techniques.  

  • They will be introduced to colour theory and apply this learning to abstract paintings.  

  • Students will have the opportunity to explore 3D skills using clay, with a focus on the themes of environment and sense of place. 

  • Students will be introduced to contemporary artists such as Lucy McLaughlin and Beatriz Milhaze. 

 

 

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

Year 8

  • Students will extend their understanding of the formal elements and apply them to different contexts. 

  • They will produce observational drawings based on ‘Still Life’.  

  • Students will be introduced to contemporary artists who explore the theme of still life in their work such as Yayoi Kusama (Japanese artist) who are famous for their use of Polka Dots and installation work.  

  • They will also be introduced to Michael Craig Martin who creates bright and bold paintings, exploring line and composition.   

  • Students will expand upon their 3D skills and create ideas based around Greek myths and literature. 

  • Students will learn how to freehand model clay.  

  • Students will also learn about a range of printing techniques and how to communicate visually through a variety of media and processes. 

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

Year 9

  • Students will develop their painting skills and a deeper understanding of GCSE Art and Design. 

  • Students will revisit mark making skills and apply this to their landscape drawing inspired by Van Gogh’s pencil and ink drawings. 

  • They will explore watercolour landscape painting and experiment with layering and blending. 

  • Students will be introduced to Anselm Kiefer (German Artist) and the way he has been inspired by Van Gogh to create large scale assemblages.  

  • They will be introduced to The German Expressionist’s landscapes and use the Impasto technique using acrylic.  

  • Students will be introduced to oil pastel and apply previous colour theory knowledge to respond to the German expressionists. 

  • Students will also be introduced to perspective and the different approaches to this drawing process - one, two and five-point perspective.  

  • In the latter part of the year, students will learn how to document a creative journey that mirrors aspects of GCSE Art & Design: Investigation, experimentation with media, development, recording of ideas, and the creation of personal responses.  

 

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