The visual arts form part of the fabric of most societies. Embedded in art and photography the stories of humanity are told in numerous ways, often using symbolism and metaphor as vehicles to highlight something profound. Much of what we learn about ancient civilisations comes from the art we have discovered and no doubt in the future we will be judged by the art that we are producing now. Art and Photography explore the question ‘who are we?’
Whilst studying Art, students will gain the knowledge and skills they need to be successful students. Various artists will be explored, including Chirs Offili, Ahmed Farid and Frida Kahlo as we delve into inspirations and contextual factors and their impact. Students will explore different mediums of art, such as sculpture, collage, and water colour painting to name a few.
In Photography, students will explore traditional darkroom processes as well as a range of digital and craft manipulation techniques. We endeavour to ensure that our students are equipped with the knowledge they need to take photos, edit them, draw digitally, and use design software, such as Photoshop.
We recognise the vital role of Art and Photography in allowing curiosity, creativity and self – expression to develop alongside resilience, confidence and critical thinking skills. In creating a wide range of products and artwork, these skills can then transfer to other areas of the curriculum. Our curriculum encourages our students to be creative risk takers, expressive, reflective and engaged learners. Students will enhance the knowledge of art and culture, develop preferences in order to make informed choices, and cultivate a professional and collaborative working practice, all of which will have a positive life-long impact.
Click here to view the Art and Photography Curriculum Enhancement Resources.
Key Stage 3 Art and Design – Curriculum Overview
Year 7 Curriculum Map 2023-24 (Nature and Landscape)
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
| Bugs, Beetles and Butterflies Drawings, mixed media, wire sculpture, clay | David Hockney (colour theory) Colour theory, landscape, colour, shape and form. | Etel Adnan Culture, collage, layering, drawing, group outcomes | Maggi Hambling Paint, texture, seascapes, colour and mood | Angie Lewin Print making, patterns, natural forms, colour, layering, mixed media, clay | Andy Goldsworthy Sculpture, nature, colour, pattern, contrast, site specific |
| 6 lessons minimum | 7 lessons minimum | 7 lessons minimum | 5 lessons minimum | 6 lessons minimum | 7 lessons minimum |
Year 8 Curriculum Map 2023-24 (Pattern)
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
| Sarah Morris Pattern, shape, form, print, colour, clay | Mark Hearld Print making, patterns, nature, colour, layering, mixed media, clay | African Art Culture, collage, layering, drawing, clay, pattern | Chris Offilli Culture, collage, layering, drawing, clay, pattern, mixed media | Van Gogh Paint, texture, landscape, colour and mood | Andy Warhol Pattern, print, Pop Art, clay, collage |
| 6 lessons minimum | 7 lessons minimum | 7 lessons minimum | 5 lessons minimum | 6 lessons minimum | 7 lessons minimum |
Year 9 Curriculum Map 2023-24 (Identity)
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
| Yayoi Kusama Identity, pattern, collage, print, clay | Hundertwasser Mixed media, layering, journeys, identity | John Piper Local landmarks, collage, mixed media, history | Tom Phillips Text, pattern, collage, line, graphics, drawing | Day of the Dead Culture, traditions, identity, colour, print, pattern, clay | Frida Kahlo Culture, colour, symbolism, identity, paint |
| 6 lessons minimum | 7 lessons minimum | 7 lessons minimum | 5 lessons minimum | 6 lessons minimum | 7 lessons minimum |
Year 10 Curriculum Map for GCSEs 2023-24
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
| Coursework Cezanne Paint, texture, composition | Coursework Cezanne Paint, texture, composition Mini mock – outcome | Coursework Matisse Collage, shape, form | Coursework Matisse Collage, shape, form Mini mock – outcome | Coursework David Hockney Colour, pattern, landscape | Coursework David Hockney Colour, pattern, landscape Mini mock – outcome |
Year 10 Curriculum Map for GCSEs 2023-25
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
| Coursework Natural Forms Various workshops | Coursework Natural Forms Various workshops | Coursework Natural Forms Various workshops Mini mock – outcome | Coursework People and Places Various workshops | Coursework People and Places Various workshops | Coursework People and Places Various workshops |
Year 11 Curriculum Map for GCSEs 2023-25
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
| COURSEWORK Yasoi Kusama Pattern, clay, identity, colour | COURSEWORK Yasoi Kusama Pattern, clay, identity, colour | ESA Exam prep Various workshops | ESA Exam prep Various workshops | ESA Exam prep Various workshops |
Year 11 Curriculum Map for GCSEs 2023-25
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
| Coursework Project revisits People and Places Natural forms Various workshops | Coursework Project revisits People and Places Natural forms Various workshops | ESA Exam prep Various workshops | ESA Exam prep Various workshops | ESA Exam prep Various workshops |
Curriculum Map for A-levels 2023-24
| Autumn 1 (7) | Autumn 2 (7) | Spring 1 (7) | Spring 2 (5) | Summer 1 (6) | Summer 2 (7) | |
| YEAR 12 | Creative workshops to build up practical skills Tutorials | Creative workshops to build up practical skills Tutorials | Start personal project on loose theme of ‘Natural/ and/ or/ man made’ Tutorials | Develop personal project Various workshops Start essay component Tutorials | Develop personal project Various workshops Tutorials | |
| 49 lessons minimum | 42 lessons minimum | 21 lessons minimum | ||||
| Autumn 1 (7) | Autumn 2 (7) | Spring 1 (7) | Spring 2 (5) | Summer 1 (6) | Summer 2 (7) | |
| YEAR 13 | Develop personal project Various workshops Tutorials | Develop personal project Various workshops Tutorials | Develop personal project Various workshops Tutorials Start ESA (exam title – February) | Exam prep Workshops Tutorials | Exam prep Workshops Tutorials 3 day exam (May) | |
| 49 lessons minimum | 42 lessons minimum | 21 lessons minimum | ||||