Art
At Idsall we aim to build up skills gradually throughout KS3. We begin year 7 with a basic skill project which covers each of the visual elements and we find this give pupils a good basis for moving forward. In the Art Department we use a wide range of materials and each year pupil will gain experience in working in both 2 and 3 dimensions through a variety of media including; clay, card, paint and print.
Our department is a very busy one, so much so we have just been awarded Arts Mark Silver by the Arts Council. The department also has much to offer in terms of session 6 activities. These include; IMac Digital Imaging club, Arts Award, and Art Leaders to name but a few.
We expect all pupils to give their art lessons their very best effort, and treat our rooms and equipment with the respect they deserve. We also expect pupils to attend their lessons with the basic drawing equipment—pencil, eraser, sharpener, ruler and a set of coloured pencils. A fine line pen and soft leaded drawing pencil (2B-4B) would be very useful additions. Pupils are provided, by the Art Department, with a sketchbook at the beginning of the year and to assist with the purchase of sketchbooks and more expensive materials for sculpture, pupils are asked to contribute £1.00.
The Art Department sets regular homework tasks which intend to encourage independent skill development, Research tasks are often set and it would therefore be useful if your child had access to internet facilities at home or at school.
ART AT KEY STAGE 4
The following GCSE courses are available to those wishing to continue with Art.
- General Art (single GCSE)
- GCSE BTEC Art and Design (4 GCSEs)
- General Art and Design (OCR - Fine Art)
In this course students will be able to continue working in 2D (painting and drawing) and 3D (sculpture) art. Students will be encouraged to investigate set themes and will be expected to develop their own imaginative style through experimentation through a range of art materials and looking at various artists and craftspeople. Through the careful selection and presentation of their work pupils will present a Coursework Portfolio developed from given starting points with a client-focussed context (60% of the marks) They will produce a final practical examination project (40 % of the marks) towards the end of Year 11. The focus of the General Art GCSE is to produce work that shows exploration, research and acquisition of techniques and skills. For further advice see Mrs Pugh
BTEC ART AND DESIGN (Edexcel - Level 2 National First Diploma )
All students will enter 6 Units of work resulting in 4 GCSEs (First Diploma). Should students have difficulties with the intensity of the course, they may opt to be entered for a First Certificate (a 3 Unit course) resulting in 2 GCSEs. Students will produce creative work in a wide range of 2D and 3D materials including glass work, clay, jewellery, mural art, graphic art and many other disciplines. The BTEC Art and Design course provides opportunities for students to understand and experience the professional world of Art, Craft and Design by relating their own practical work to the business and the commercial aspects of the industry. For further information see Ms Baxter
