Art & Textiles
We use art to encourage our students to develop and express their ideas through a variety of media.
Key Stage 3
Art
Art offers a broad based course with a wide variety of activities. We start by developing drawing skills which underpin the teaching of sculpture, painting and mixed media. The curriculum also enables pupils to develop their presentation and research skills.
Pupils carry out substantial development and research as part of their work. Each term a new area of focus is taught to develop practical skills and challenge the pupils to consider the complexities of visual communication in the modern world. Cultural and artistic influences are taken into account as visual outcomes are developed.
Textiles
Pupils timetabled in textiles in Year 9 work on a skills based project which enhances their research and development in art. They learn textile specific skills including hand stitching, appliqué and stencil printing to create a final outcome. The aim is to show the potential of the subject as a distinct GCSE option.
Key Stage 4
Art
The GCSE Fine Art (AQA specification) allows pupils to develop their own interests and skills using a multimedia approach that offers opportunities to use traditional and contemporary methods. The disciplines of drawing and painting remain popular areas of study for the majority of learners.
Pupils in Year 11 submit two coursework units (60% of the GCSE) along with a response to a task externally set by the examination board (40%) for assessment.
*For summer 2021 pupils will not be required to complete an externally set task and will be assessed solely on the coursework created over the two years.
Many GCSE pupils also use photography and technology within their work. Digital cameras, iPads and editing software such as Photoshop are used to generate and record work and have been used by pupils in the creation of film and animation.
Textiles
GCSE Textiles (AQA specification) encourages pupils to research, explore and develop their ideas through personal responses and outcomes whilst exploring many textile techniques including hand and machine stitching, screen, lino and mono printing, batik and the manipulation of fabrics all underpinned by contextual understanding.
Pupils in Year 11 submit two coursework units (60% of the GCSE) along with a response to a task externally set by the examination board (40%) for assessment.
*For summer 2021 pupils will not be required to complete an externally set task and will be assessed solely on the coursework created over the two years.
A level
Fine Art (AQA specification)
The Sixth form course builds on the skills and understanding gained at GCSE but encourages a greater level of ambition as the students become increasingly aware of their individual artistic style and creative influences.
Students are expected to contextualise their work taking inspiration from the work of others and learning how the art world is heavily influenced by cultural, social, and political issues. There is an expectation that written analysis supports the creation of a substantial amount of practical work. The course allows students to work using a wide range of media and disciplines which includes; painting, drawing, sculpture, digital media, photography, animation and mixed media.
Art, Craft and Design (AQA specification)
Students are introduced to a variety of techniques that include; surface print, hand and machine stitching, ceramics and 3D work which are all underpinned by drawing/painting and photography. The course allows students to explore these techniques and there is an expectation that the skills are refined as personal lines of enquiry are investigated.
The areas of study are set within a clear time schedule to reflect the working practice of artists, designers and crafts-people.
Students are encouraged to create personal responses and outcomes showing evidence of working in at least two of the areas above. Students will look at both contemporary and historical crafts-people, artists and designers to support the practical elements of their work. Final submissions are presented in a variety of ways including sketchbooks and boards.
Eve Leckey was one of 39 young artists selected by the RBA – The Royal Society of British Artists, to exhibit their work at The Mall Gallery and ROSL – Royal Over Seas League in London 2020. The initial recommendation was put forward by The Arts Society (Solent).
One of our exhibits from our 2019 exhibition at Fort Brockhurst, Gosport by Cristelle Gryte. The piece was created in response to the English Heritage site.
