Art

Art is an integral part of a student’s education. It is very important that students understand how artistic and creative skills can be applied to our everyday lives such as fashion, design and all other forms of visual aesthetics. Within art, students are allowed to explore their creativity through their own thoughts and ideas.

Year 7

Students in Year 7 start their creative adventure by exploring some of the more traditional elements of art exploring the theme of insects. There is a focus on drawing and capturing tone and detail. Students study colour theory and different art processes, such as drawing, painting, and printmaking. Students are then taken on a journey exploring their local area and community. They use different techniques to improve their understanding of composition, finishing the year by creating beautiful watercolour final pieces. 

Year 8

Students in Year 8 start the year with a journey around the world exploring different endangered animals. They will experiment with materials, patterns and textures inspired by each of the animals they learn about along the way. In addition, they will learn about artists from other cultures and the context of their work. They will spend the second part of the year looking back in time at the toys they love, studying perspective art skills such as optical illusions and technical drawing.  Students will also develop their observational drawings and how to create depth in their artwork. Year 8 finish their year by creating a personal and creative final piece including all the elements they have learnt throughout the year.

Year 9

Students starting year 9 are encouraged to start thinking like GCSE students and to work independently to explore their own creative paths. They will work on a GCSE style project entitled Inside. They are encouraged to explore the GCSE assessment objectives and understand how to produce work independently. They will reflect on their personal ideas and produce planning to develop an entirely original piece of work.

Year 10 and 11

In the first year of Art GCSE, students explore the themes of Safely Contained and Past Present Future Students have to implement a wide range of materials and develop their technical skills. Students have to study the work of other artists and respond to their studies. Literacy is integral to GCSE Art and students have to feel confident articulating their thoughts and analysing pieces in written form.

In the second year of Art GCSE, the students are encouraged to develop project ideas themselves and cultivate their own avenues of exploration. Students will work within a title chosen by the art department and will develop a portfolio of work and a mock exam piece under this title. In January, students will be briefed on their exam title and develop a body of work over the next few weeks. This will then culminate in preparing them for their ten hour exam.

Year 12

In the first year of A Level, students develop two main projects entitled Matchbox and Human Form. Students are guided through many different experimental material processes, meeting many of the different assessment objectives. For their first PPE, students develop an independent body of work based on the theme of Conflict and Harmony or Passions and Obsessions. They then sit a 15 hour PPE to produce a final piece. In January, students are briefed on their second PPE and have 10 weeks to develop a portfolio of work. This will prepare them for their A Level exam which is 15 hours long and will take place at the end of the second year. For the final term students will spend time finishing their coursework and preparing for their second year.

Year 13

In the second year of A Level, students are allowed to set their own project title. They have to be confident with developing their own ideas and challenging themselves to develop a fluent portfolio of work. Students will be expected to explore current art forms and develop their own first-hand research. In November students will complete a PPE based on their personal topic title. Part of the student’s coursework is to write a personal study. Students will explore a concept or art notion and write an exploratory study on their findings. In February, the students will be briefed on their art exam title. Students will then have several weeks to develop a body of work, preparing them for their 15 hour exam. For the final term students will spend time finishing their coursework and preparing for their final exams.

Gifted and Talented Students

Projects and opportunities on offer:

• Artist in residence sessions give students the opportunity to work with artists who give guidance and advice on the students' work.
• Gifted and talented art students have had their artwork displayed at the Essex County Council, County Hall.
• Opportunities to work in the art rooms independently during break or after school.

Art Ambassadors  

We have Art Ambassadors who are selected by staff to represent and support the art department.

Projects and opportunities on offer:

• To promote the Art department
• To help with open evenings
• To be at the front leading and motivating your peers when talking about Art projects.
• Be proactive and know about local exhibitions and artist.
• Be present in the art department during break time and afterschool.