Year 7

Our curriculum is founded in skills based learning, structured by the GCSE assessment objectives into the four areas of research, record, development and final outcome.  The Creative team embed the necessary skills to successfully access the GCSE curriculum from Year 7; using skills based practice and repetition to build upon a firm foundation that underpins the success at Year 11.  To enhance the curriculum at KS4 we use industry standard practice to allow our pupils to successfully meet the higher level criteria as well as enter FE with a solid base of specialist knowledge and understanding.    

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Topic

Foundation Drawing Skills

Observational Techniques

Materials Development

Key knowledge

Embedded skills

Introducing and understanding the formal elements, including line, shape, tone, texture, and colour.

Pencil control, how to shade, how to recognise and identify shapes, basic colour theory, how to create a range of textures.

Developing observational drawing techniques including how to study and focus on drawing from both objects and images, and how to create independent design work based on drawn images.

Sketching techniques, how to construct a composition, how to use images to inform designs, background/middleground/foreground. 

Introducing a range of 2D and 3D materials to enhance drawing skills from Term 1 and 2.  To include but not limited to painting techniques, fineliner work, oil pastel, model making and Photoshop.

Colour blending, brush control, construction techniques, Photoshop processes.

Year 8

Our curriculum is founded in skills based learning, structured by the GCSE assessment objectives into the four areas of research, record, development and final outcome.  The Creative team embed the necessary skills to successfully access the GCSE curriculum from Year 7; using skills based practice and repetition to build upon a firm foundation that underpins the success at Year 11.  To enhance the curriculum at KS4 we use industry standard practice to allow our pupils to successfully meet the higher level criteria as well as enter FE with a solid base of specialist knowledge and understanding.    

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Topic

Drawing skills

Materials development

Personal response and outcomes

Key knowledge

Embedded skills  

Building upon the foundation drawing skills to access higher level techniques such as shading using the full tonal scale, colour blending using hot and cold colours, texture and pattern work, drawing to a design brief, drawing using computer processes.

Drawing line with accuracy, tonal scale 0-10, colour blending, colour theory, composition, fineliner control, Photoshop processes, 3D design work.   

Developing a use of 2D and 3D materials including but not limited to watercolour techniques, 3D modelling, Photoshop processes, collage work, foamboard printing, photomontage, and coloured pencils.

Colour blending, brush control, cutting and sticking, layers and Photoshop tools, printing techniques, cardboard relief, nets and modelling.  

Generating a range of outcomes and responses in relation to the chosen topic, pupils creating a personal response and outcome using their skills and understanding from term 1 and 2.

Design portfolio from research to final outcome, exploring a range of ideas and responses.  How to create a final outcome, how to test ideas, how to annotate and generate a response.  

Year 9

Our curriculum is founded in skills based learning, structured by the GCSE assessment objectives into the four areas of research, record, development and final outcome.  The Creative team embed the necessary skills to successfully access the GCSE curriculum from Year 7; using skills based practice and repetition to build upon a firm foundation that underpins the success at Year 11.  To enhance the curriculum at KS4 we use industry standard practice to allow our pupils to successfully meet the higher level criteria as well as enter FE with a solid base of specialist knowledge and understanding.    

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Drawing skills

Materials development

Personal response and outcomes

Key knowledge

Embedded skills

Pupils accessing higher level drawing skills such as shading using shadows and highlights, the full tonal scale, using texture to create tone, working to a design brief, isometric drawing, drawing using Photoshop, colour theory, texture and pattern.

Portraiture, typography, design based work, Photoshop layers and tools, photography techniques

Developing a use of 2D and 3D materials including but not limited to watercolour techniques, 3D modelling, Photoshop processes, collage work, foamboard printing, photomontage, and coloured pencils.

Colour blending, brush control, cutting and sticking, layers and Photoshop tools, printing techniques, cardboard relief, nets and modelling.  

Generating a range of outcomes and responses in relation to the chosen topic, pupils creating a personal response and outcome using their skills and understanding from term 1 and 2. Exploring and developing ideas using the full visual journey.

Design portfolio from research to final outcome, exploring a range of ideas and responses.  How to create a final outcome, how to test ideas, how to annotate and generate a response. 

Year 10

Pupil   Pupils will work through the four different assessment objectives AO1-AO4, exploring the objectives in relation to the chosen theme.  The theme can range from Sealife to Typography, depending on the specialism e.g. Art, Graphics, 3D Design or Photography.  Each objective is worth 25%, accumulating to their assessed portfolio work.  Their assessed portfolio makes up 60% of their total grade. 

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

AO1  

AO1+ AO2

AO2

AO3

AO3

AO4

Assessment Descriptor

Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources.

Research into a range of artists, craftspeople, practitioners, photographers, designers.

Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources.

Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes.

Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes.

Including 2D, 3D and computer based processes.

Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses.

Observational drawings using a range of 2D processes.

Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses.

Observational drawings using a range of 2D processes.

Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language.

Year 11

Pupils will work through the four different assessment objectives AO1-AO4, exploring the objectives in relation to the chosen theme.  The theme can range from Sealife to Typography, depending on the specialism e.g. Art, Graphics, 3D Design or Photography.  Each objective is worth 25%, accumulating to their assessed portfolio work.  Their assessed portfolio makes up 60% of their total grade. 

Pupils will also engage with an exam based unit from January onwards.  The exam unit will cover a condensed portfolio of work, covering AO1-AO4.  AO4 will form the 10 hour exam, an assessed outcome based on AO1-AO3. The exam unit makes up the remainder 40% of the grade.

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

AO1+AO2

AO3+AO4

Exam Unit

Exam Unit

Exam Unit

Assessment Descriptor

Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources.

Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes.

Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses.

Observational drawings using a range of 2D processes.

Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language.

Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources.

Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes.

Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses.

Observational drawings using a range of 2D processes.

Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language.

Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses.

Observational drawings using a range of 2D processes.

Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language.