Art & Design

“Creativity takes courage.” Henri Matisse.

Art and design is all around us, it’s in almost everything we see. Much that we possess and behold first had to be created, through an art and design investigation and making process. Art and Design at Fearnhill takes you on that journey, from that first tentative mark to the final masterpiece.

YEAR 7 – Gaining Confidence

Getting familiar with the formal elements and different types of media.

Year 7 is all about exploring techniques and experimentation. Starting with the foundations of learning how to shade successfully, then going on to explore drawing, collage, printmaking, photography and much more. Students will understand line, colour, tone, texture, shape, form and composition and how artists have used these formal elements to achieve the art work we see around us. Students are encouraged to take risks and explore the unknown to see if it works. The importance of recording the art and design journey and how to keep and develop a sketchbook are key parts of the first year in Art and Design at Fearnhill school.

Through the main topic of ‘Animals’ which disperses into small projects including Insects, Carolee Clark inspired animal, Under the sea, Aboriginal art and realistic animal drawing. Students combine the rigour of knowledge and skill with expression of creativity and imagination.

YEAR 8 – Developing Skills

Are art movements important…?

In year 8, students build on the foundations of Year 7 and take their acquired skills to a new level; gaining a deeper understanding of visual devices such as perspective, scale, proportion, depth and image manipulation. There is a bigger emphasis on the research of visual artists within specific art movements within a historical context to inform students of the importance and significance that it had on society. They will explore new styles, new media and new levels of thinking.

Through the main topic of Art movements, they will explore Pop Art, Surrealism and Op Art. Students will explore different media and produce more outcomes informed by different styles and viewpoints.

YEAR 9 – Understanding Art

Does it look real…?

In year 9, students will build on their already learned foundational skills and knowledge from year 7 and 8 in a much deeper level making the connection between Year 9 and GCSE art more manageable. Whilst revisiting the visual formal elements and principles of design within art, students will be experimenting with different types of media. Students will grow in independence and confidence by investigating, researching, developing, experimenting and refining in each of their projects. Strengthening their skills through constant practice is key to success!

Through the topic of Human Form, they will explore realism vs abstract portraiture, Human Form perception in different cultures and observational studies of anatomical structures.

YEAR 10 & 11 – Getting Immersed

Time to take risks and work in greater depth.

Students use and refine their skills to immerse themselves in themes and ideas at a greater level of complexity. Art and design processes and techniques are broadened and students are taught to draw, paint, print and sculpt with new media to a higher level of sophistication. Their analysis of artists requires a higher level of understanding; looking beyond what they do, to how and why; understanding the impact of social context and often comparing and contrasting, artists, approaches and cultures.

At Fearnhill School, our GCSE in Art and Design helps students develop knowledge, skills and understanding to enable them to express their creativity and imagination through responses to visual and written stimuli. The titles we offer cover the breadth of art and design, both traditional and digital. Students will gain opportunities to see artwork first hand through gallery and workshop visits, providing stimulus, inspiration and enrichment to their own work.

YEAR 12 & 13 – Going even further

Independence, free thought, expression and mastery of technique.

At A level, students take the confidence gained at GCSE even further. They work and think at a greater breadth and depth and with a higher level of academic rigour and mastery.

The emphasis is on the independent development of idea from conception through to realisation and on the growth of a personal style as a practising artist. Students will gain opportunities to see artwork first hand through gallery and workshop visits and will curate and exhibit their work in a local public gallery.

Students will be introduced to a variety of experiences that explore the range of fine art media, processes and techniques in both traditional and new media. They will explore relevant images, artefacts and resources relating to a range of art, craft and design, from past and from recent times, including European and non-European examples. These are integral to the investigating and making process.

In A Level Fine Art, students produce practical and critical/ contextual work in one or more areas of study, for example, drawing, painting, mixed media, sculpture, ceramics, installation, printmaking, moving image (film, video, animation) and photography.

Many of our students go on to study Fine Art and related disciplines in Higher education and often then beyond… making an exciting and fulfilling career out of what they’ve learnt. The sky’s the limit and the world is their oyster!

ASSESSMENT

More details can be found below.

Art descriptor.

EXAM BOARD LINKS

CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES

Student and teacher led lunch clubs – technique and the joy of making
Gallery and museum visits at each key stage
Local artist workshops
Life drawing workshop (A Level)
Exhibitions of work with opportunities for curation
Alumni visits from ex Fearnhill art students who have built careers in the subject.

GIFTED AND TALENTED

Bespoke technical workshops
“Scaling Up” – where students have the opportunity to learn media and techniques beyond their key stage
Student leadership opportunities for students to be a peer coach or coachee
Art ambassadors at KS4