- Home
- Curriculum
- Subject Information
Art and Photography
BackCourse Description
Art & Design at Gaynes school aims to engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. As students progress, they begin to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design. Students also learn how art and design both reflects and shapes our history and contributes to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation.
The Art department has high expectations of all students and we have created a strong and balanced curriculum to meet their needs. Students have a high success rate, with exam results having exceeded the National average for the last 12 years.
Success and achievement are valued and celebrated within the department and we proudly display our students’ work around the school. This consists of art work from clubs and competitions and from our Key Stage 3 & 4 Art & Design and GCSE Photography curriculum. At their time at Gaynes all students have the opportunity to see their work on display, which we believe builds confidence and self-worth.
Our expectations
The Art & Design Department expects all students to try their best at all times. Dedication, focus and perseverance are essential skills for success. During lessons all students have a responsibility to look after their equipment and materials and must treat the art room and each other with respect. Homework is to be completed on time and detentions will be set accordingly.
KS3
Curriculum Overview
All students at KS3 have 1 hour of art lessons a week. They explore a range of different media, including painting & drawing, printmaking and sculpture and study different artists and movements to help influence and inspire their work. Homework projects are set each term and form an integral part of the course of study.
In Year 7 students begin with learning about the visual elements of colour, tone, texture, line, shape and pattern. Students arrive at secondary school with a range of knowledge, very much dependent on their experiences at primary school. We ensure that our curriculum enables all students to develop the fundamental basic knowledge, skills and techniques to progress with confidence and ease.
Students learn how to research and investigate, how to record ideas and information through drawing, annotation and analysis. Students evaluate and assess their own and others work, working individually and in groups. They learn how to refine and develop their work and ideas and make informed decisions as to how their work progresses.
In Year 8 students continue to develop and refine their skills and techniques, building upon and following on from work in Year 7. All projects are designed to extend and enrich student’s knowledge and understanding, as well as giving more opportunity for independent and personal study.
In Year 9 students begin to consolidate their knowledge, skills and understanding of Art & Design. They work increasingly independently and begin to hone their skills in preparation for standards required at GCSE.
Art & Design Curriculum Mapping 2021 - 2022 |
Autumn Term |
Spring Term |
Summer Term |
Year 7 |
Colour & Pattern
|
Identity & Portraiture
|
Activism or Art?
|
Assessment |
|
|
|
Year 8 |
Still Life & Cubism
|
Pattern & Culture
|
Food & Sculpture
|
Assessment |
|
|
|
Year 9
|
Pop Art Selfies
|
Festivals & Masks (Design Brief)
|
Surrealism & Eyes (Independent study)
|
Assessment |
|
|
|
KS4
At Gaynes School we follow the AQA GCSE Art & Design and Photography course:
AQAThis consists of: Coursework – 60%; Exam – 40%
Assessment components
- AO1: Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources
- AO2: Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media materials, techniques and processes
- AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses
- AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language
Main activities
Art & Design and Photography students begin their GCSE course by developing their foundation skills and techniques and widening their knowledge and understanding. This means that the nature of the course is more directed with students completing set tasks and activities. However, as the course progresses, students are encouraged to develop their own ideas and work becomes increasingly independent and tailored to students own interests and abilities. We aim for students to be able to have the confidence to direct their own course of study by term 3, which results in a sustained and final outcome, similar to the structure of the GCSE exam.
Students start Year 11 with a mock exam. They are given the opportunity to select their own project title from a range of previous GCSE questions. We believe this prepares students well for their GCSE exam in January, so that they can enter the exam period with confidence. Students work independently to research and investigate their own course of study before refining and developing their ideas culminating in a sustained final outcome.
From January in Year 11 students start their GCSE exam preparatory period with the 10-hour exam taking place in April.
Art & Design Curriculum Mapping 2021 - 2022 |
Autumn Term |
Spring Term |
Summer Term |
Year 10 Art & Design
|
Foundation Skills
|
Contextual Study
|
Independent Enquiry
|
Assessment |
|
|
|
Year 10 Photography
|
Foundation Skills
|
Contextual Study
|
Independent Enquiry
|
Assessment |
|
|
|
Year 11 Art & Photography
|
Mock Exam - AQA
|
GCSE Art Exam - AQA
|
AQA EXAM CONTROLLED ASSESSMENT
|
Assessment |
Mock Exam Final Assessment |
|
EXAM APRIL/MAY 10 HOURS COURSEWORK DEADLINE MAY |
Why you should consider this subject for GCSE
The GCSE Art & Design and the Photography course aim to offer students the opportunity to investigate and experiment with a wide range of media, materials and processes. However, the benefits of art classes are much wider reaching than the obvious artistic skills and techniques students learn. The internet has created an explosion of opportunity for digital designers and multimedia artists and a surge in demand for multimedia artists, animators, and illustrators is projected for 2020, due to companies’ demand for advertising in online and digital formats. Students with a wide skill set have an advantage in any career and young people who are multi-skilled are more useful, well-rounded, hireable and capable of excelling in a much wider range of professions. As a coursework-based subject creating a portfolio also teaches you self-discipline, focus, organisational and time management skills, as well as enhancing fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem solving skills, lateral thinking, complex analysis and critical thinking skills. If you love Art & Design and Photography, it is also worth remembering that outstanding marks, in any subject, indicate skill; intellectual rigour; strong work ethic and a commitment to fulfilling
one’s potential. All of these things are desirable traits in an employee or university applicant, as well as providing students with a deep sense of personal achievement.
“Creative activity is essential for the future well-being of society and the economy. It can unlock the potential of individuals and communities to solve personal, local and global problems. Creativity can be an individual or collaborative activity. By engaging in creative activities, young people can develop the capacity to influence and shape their own lives and wider society. Everyone has the potential for creative activity and it can have a positive impact on self-esteem and overall achievement.”
Future Careers
An Art & Design and/or Photography GCSE can be beneficial to routes such as fine art, illustration, humanities, fashion design, architecture, advertising, politics, new media, photography, art history, cultural studies, animation, graphic design, animation and web design.
GCSE Results 2022
Congratulations to the Year 11 Students on achieving 100% 9-4
GCSE Results 2021
Congratulations to the Year 11 Students on achieving 87.5% 9-4
GCSE Results 2020
Congratulations to the Year 11 Students on achieving 100% 9-4
GCSE Results 2019
Congratulations to the Year 11 Students on achieving;
- 87.5% 9-4 - Art
- 100% 9-4 - Photography
Extra-Curricular / Clubs
The department offers a range of school clubs and competitions. KS3 Art club and Homework support take place every week and all students are welcome. At GCSE, intervention is available after school with the Head of Department. We run an open-door policy where students have access to the Art rooms at lunch and after school to develop their portfolio and to find a friendly place to work.
We regularly take part in local and school competitions and run a whole School Photography Competition which has proved very popular and produced some very successful outcomes.
Support
KS3 & KS4
- Pinterest – A very useful app for researching and investigating homework Images
- Galleries: National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, TATE Modern and TATE Britain, The V & A, The Royal Academy, The Saatchi collection, The British Museum…
There are also example art books, portfolios and sketchbooks available to see in the art room.