Art & Photography: KS3
Key Stage 3 course - Year 7
When students join Art in Year 7 we begin with a project based on The Formal Elements. We explore ideas and
collect visual information based on the basics in art and design. Students will develop skills in working with
basic 2D media depicting tone; colour; line; shape; form and pattern. This will then inform a 3D outcome still
exploring those basic themes. The unit will provide students with an excellent introduction to the use of a
sketchbook in which they will be encouraged to be creative and experiment.
Our second project in Year 7 is based on Cultures. Artist research will allow students to gain an understanding
of how social, moral and cultural beliefs and values influence works of art and explore the arts and crafts of
various multi-cultural artists. Students will work on designing and communicating their ideas and develop
their work through mask and artefact making, using papier mache and sculpting techniques.
Key Stage 3 course - Year 8
When students join Art in Year 8 we begin with a project based on Cultures where we look at the Mexican
festival and celebration ‘Day of The Dead’. Students will research crafts and artefacts related to the Day of the
Dead and develop and improve on their research, drawing and painting skills. Sugar skulls will be a starting
point for students’ designs and will result in a decorated clay final outcome. Papier mâché Sacred Hearts will
teach students construction and build on colour theory and painting skills that students developed in Yr7
through their Formal Elements project.
Our second project in Year 8 explores themes such as Masks, Portrait and Monsters. During this unit students
will explore observational drawing and proportion, they will develop skills in painting with acrylics,
experimenting with collage, design and construction skills and be introduced to Monoprinting and
printmaking.
Key Stage 3 course - Year 9
When students choose to join art as part of their Yr9 options, the art department delivers a course that has the
same structure as our GCSE course so that students get an insight into how our GCSE course is run and the
commitment needed to produce the coursework.
We explore projects such as Pods, Sealife and Creature project and encourage greater independence from our
students through the introduction of design briefs. Students choose the direction their project goes in and has
greater control of the journey from their starting points to final piece. They get to explore painting,
printmaking and clay sculpture so that they have the art knowledge to make an informed choice when
deciding between 3d and Fine art at GCSE.