Art & Design
Head of Department: Mrs M. Martin
Why do we study art at Gumley House?
Can you imagine a world without art? Think about it! Imagine an internet or phone without any imagery.
Studying art and design provides the opportunity to acquire new skills. As well as knowledge of different art forms, media and techniques you can also gain specialist skills in areas such as photography and digital technologies. Art enhances fine motor skills; it helps you think creatively, broadens your mind - and feeds the soul!
The purpose of the Art department is to make artists! Art and design embodies some of the highest forms of human creativity. Gumley’s high-quality Art and Design education engages, inspires and challenges students, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design.
As students progress, they will be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design. They will also know how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation.
Art & Design contributes towards the Design and Technology skills, alongside Fashion and Textiles, Food Technology and Computing (mapped here).
CURRICULUM DOCUMENTS (ART & DESIGN)
Key Learning Objectives
Students will be taught to develop their creativity and ideas, and increase proficiency in their execution. They should develop a critical understanding of artists and designers, expressing reasoned judgements that can inform their own work.
Students will learn to use a range of techniques to record their observations as a basis for exploring their ideas. They will learn to use a range of techniques and media, including drawing and painting to increase their proficiency in the handling of different materials.
Students will learn to analyse and evaluate their own work, and that of others, in order to strengthen the visual impact or applications of their work. They will learn about the history of art, craft, design , including periods, styles and major movements from the past up to the present day. They will learn the importance of cultural capital focusing on British art and its world influence.
Students will be constantly assessed each lesson formatively but summatively as each project reaches an outcome. Students in year 7 will be initially assessed on a drawing task. Drawing is high on the agenda within the art and design national curriculum so it’s vital that skills are taught and embedded.
Key Concepts
Creativity:
Producing imaginative images, artefacts and other outcomes that are both original and of value. Exploring and experimenting with ideas, materials, tools and techniques. Taking risks and learning from mistakes.
Competence
Investigating, analysing, designing, making, reflecting and evaluating effectively. Making informed choices about media, techniques and processes.
Cultural understanding
Engaging with a range of images and artefacts from different contexts, recognising the varied characteristics of different cultures and using them to inform their creating and making. Understanding the role of the artist, craftsperson and designer in a range of cultures, times and contexts.
Critical understanding
Exploring visual, tactile and other sensory qualities of their own and others’ work. Engaging with ideas, images and artefacts, and identifying how values and meanings are conveyed. Developing their own views and expressing reasoned judgements. Analysing and reflecting on work from diverse contexts.
Gallery of Images from Art
Art & Design in Year 7
In Year 7 you will have one 50 minute lesson a week in Art & Design. You will study and explore how artists observe and are inspired by the natural world.
The skills you will develop are:
- Drawing, painting and painting and using a sketchbook to develop ideas and skills.
- Direct observational drawing.
- Watercolour skills.
- Colour mixing the basic principles of colour theory
- Drawing and painting landscapes inspired by Fauvism
- Explore art and design inspired by nature
- Wire and tissue paper sculpture
- Develop design and presentation skills.
- Research, collecting relevant information and development.
- Development of images and outcomes with a personal response.
Assessment
Homework minimum 45 minutes per week.
Homework is regularly marked, in line with the whole school marking criteria (Assessment for Learning). Comments are also given on how students can improve their work, and they are expected to respond to these in order to raise their levels of achievement. Evaluations are carried out at the end of each topic.
Types of Homework:
- Drawing
- Painting
- ICT design-based homework
- Research/presentation on artists
- Collecting reference material/objects
How can parents help?
- Ensure students are provided with basic art equipment to use in school, including a pencil, rubber and a sharpener. Further equipment could also include pencil crayons, felt tip pens and watercolour paints in order to complete homework tasks and practice skills at home.
- Encourage students to draw for fun! Work from different sources, including from images, imagination and real life objects.
- Look for opportunities to visit galleries, exhibitions and museums.
Art & Design in Year 8
In Year 8, you will have one 50 minute lesson a week in Art & Design.
You will study and explore art from a range of cultures and conduct deep research into the watercolour techniques and concepts behind the work of major contemporary artist Chris Ofili. You will also investigate how British designer Alexander McQueen is inspired by the animal world and his creative use of historical sources.
The skills you will develop are:
- continue to develop observational skills drawing from life
- develop skills in drawing from secondary observation
- Portraiture within drawing and monoprint
- Decorative watercolour skills.
- Explore the work of contemporary British artist Chris Ofili as a model to understand the role of the fine artist and the artist as reporter.
- Explore art from a range of cultures
- Develop compositional and planning skills
- Visual language to communicate ideas through cultural symbolism, colour and pattern in the ”Adorned Portrait”
- Reflect, review and refine skills as you progress towards an outcome
- “Fur, Feathers, Scales and Wings”, Fashion as Art
- Mixed-media and illustration, colour and texture
- Explore British Designer/artist Alexander McQueen, expand on art and design inspired by nature and the animal world.
- Research, collecting relevant information and development.
- Exploring stylistic and conceptual concerns in artist’s work.
- Development of images with a personal response.
Assessment
Homework minimum 30 minutes per week.
Homework is regularly marked, in line with the whole school marking criteria (Assessment for Learning). Comments are also given on how students can improve their work, and they are expected to respond to these in order to raise their levels of achievement. Evaluations are carried out at the end of each topic.
Types of Homework:
- Drawing
- Painting
- ICT design-based homework
- Research/presentation on artists
- Collecting reference material/objects
How can parents help?
- Ensure students are provided with basic art equipment to use in school, including a pencil, rubber and a sharpener. Further equipment could also include pencil crayons, felt tip pens and watercolour paints in order to complete homework tasks and practice skills at home.
- Encourage students to draw for fun! Work from different sources, including from images, imagination and real life objects.
- Look for opportunities to visit galleries, exhibitions and museums.
Art & Design at Key Stage 4
Students choose to continue studying Art & Design for an award at GCSE.
The exam board is PEARSON EDEXCEL.
Please click for the syllabus, examination specification and support materials (opens in new window)You can access a sample of assessment material here: Pearson Website
What will I learn on this course?
You will develop your drawing and painting skills as well as exploring print making, mixed media (including textiles), photography, sculpture and installation art depending on your personal interests! You will also learn how to hone your analytical skills and how to develop your ideas and your individual, artistic personality.
What is the importance of studying Art & Design at GCSE?
The two-year course if successfully completed, can lead to A Level Art and beyond Gumley to a place in Art College, or entry onto a BA Degree in a wide variety of subjects – from Architecture to Fashion. Typically Gumley A level students go onto Foundation Studies in Art and Design at The University for the Arts, London (Wimbledon, Chelsea and Central St. Martins) and Kingston. Others choose to go directly to university to study design based courses at degree level. Art is relevant to a range of careers including design, animation, film, fashion design, web design, photography and product design. It will prove a valuable skill in our highly visual, multi-media world.
What are the requirements when completing a controlled assessment?
The majority of the work is carried out in class and is therefore informally supervised. Some work which aids the development of the submission (homework, research, gallery visits) may be completed without direct supervision. The 10-hour sustained focus is formally supervised.
What resources are available to use?
Although it is advisable to have a range of art materials for use at home the department provides the majority of the materials and equipment required (paint, drawing materials, inks and printmaking equipment, clay and batik and silk painting equipment). A class set of high spec laptop computers with Photoshop is also available. The department also has access to the school computer rooms.
What are the aims of the course?
The course aims to develop:
- Creative and imaginative abilities and the practical skills for engaging with and for communicating original ideas.
- Critical and enquiring minds
- Cultural knowledge and understanding of art and media.
- Personal attributes including self-confidence, resilience, perseverance, self-discipline and commitment.
How will I be assessed on the course?
You will produce a Personal Portfolio which is worth 60%. This is Component 1. Component 2, The Externally Set Assignment makes up the remaining 40% and includes a preparatory period of 20 hours and the production of a final piece (the 10-hour sustained focus).
What extracurricular activities will be available?
The department runs specialist workshops to extend skills (for example Batik or Photoshop). These take place after school or as part of the school’s Curriculum Extension Days. The Art Department has an open door policy; students are welcome to work at lunchtime and after school either independently or with help from staff.
What is required of me when completing the course?
An awareness of Art in its broadest context is increasingly necessary for the work required at GCSE Level. Where possible, you will be expected to visit galleries, museums and exhibitions. There will be a school visit to an Art Gallery (London based) as part of the personal portfolio. In addition, you need to explore locations within your environment for research purposes which will assist you in the development of your individual project work.
You will need to prove your commitment in lower school to gain entry onto this course.
You will need an A3 sketch-book for each component. We encourage/recommend that students buy a set of sketching pencils, small paint brush and if possible a set of gouache paints and/or acrylics. A set of oil pastels is also useful. Access to a camera will be necessary for research and development work.
The acquisition of a visual language and good basic drawing skills forms a desirable part of an Art course and students must be prepared to keep sketch-books to record observations both in school and at home. You will have the opportunity to explore and experiment with different materials, methods and techniques of image making. Your ideas, the work in progress, as well as any finished pieces of work are the subject of assessment and evaluation.
ENTHUSIASM, WILLINGNESS TO WORK INDEPENDENTLY AND SELF-MOTIVATION ARE ESSENTIAL FOR THIS COURSE. THESE QUALITIES ARE MORE OF A PRIORITY THAN ABILITY. AT LEAST 2 HOURS MINIMUM A WEEK MUST BE DEVOTED TO ART PROJECT WORK AS `HOME LEARNING’.
You’ll enjoy this course if…
You enjoy making Art and you have a desire to communicate with an audience through your practise. You have a real commitment to research and development. You enjoy visiting galleries and creating and using primary sources.
Achieving the Grade 8 or 9
We have an excellent track record in terms of results in Art with increasing numbers of students achieving full marks in the components as we believe in working with students on an individual basis developing their particular interests and talents. We believe in empowering students to take risks with a view to producing work of exceptional quality. Individual help is always available.
What further study options are available?
Students are encouraged to attend gallery and museum based workshops. You will need an A3 sketch-book for each unit. We encourage/recommend that students buy a set of sketching pencils, small paint brush and if possible a set of gouache paints and/or acrylics. A set of oil pastels is also useful. Access to a camera will be necessary for research and development work. The acquisition of a visual language and good basic drawing skills forms a desirable part of an Art course and students must be prepared to keep sketch-books to record observations both in school and at home. You will have the opportunity to explore and experiment with different materials, methods and techniques of image making. Your ideas, the work in progress, as well as any finished pieces of work are the subject of assessment and evaluation.
With GCSE Art and Design. students get to explore both contemporary and historical sources of art, craft and design first hand. They take an individual approach to art, craft and design making, while developing the skill of selecting their best and most appropriate work for presentation.
Students will learn to:
- apply a creative approach to problem solving
- consider and develop original ideas from initiation to realisation
- analyse critically their own work and the work of others
- express individual thoughts and choices confidently
- take risks, experiment and learn from mistakes.
How can parents help?
- Ensure students are provided with basic art equipment to use in school, including a pencil, rubber and a sharpener. Further equipment could also include pencil crayons, felt tip pens and watercolour paints in order to complete homework tasks and practice skills at home.
- Encourage students to draw for fun! Work from different sources, including from images, imagination and real life objects.
- Look for opportunities to visit galleries, exhibitions and museums.
'Fine Art' at Key Stage 5
For more information on the content of our Fine Art course in our Sixth Form, please refer to our Sixth Prospectus.