Art & Design – Oriel High School

Art & Design

Subject Overview

‘Everything you can imagine is real’ – Pablo Picasso

The Art and Design curriculum at Oriel High School provides opportunities for students to develop their practical and imaginative skills, through experimentation with a wide range of media and techniques. Students are given an understanding of how various artists’ work is influenced by the world around them and encouraged to develop their own work in a similar way. Art lessons offer students the opportunity to think differently, to discuss and evaluate artwork and often to work collaboratively on a group project. Throughout KS3 all students study drawing, painting, ceramics and mixed media sculpture, developing their skills and ideas to create original pieces of work. In KS4 students have the choice of studying Fine Art, Textiles or 3D Design at GCSE level.

The Art and Design department at Oriel High School consists of five members of teaching staff and two technicians. It is an excellently resourced department that boasts four specialist Art rooms; a photographic darkroom, a kiln room and a Sixth Form Study room. Students have access to a wide range of equipment including digital cameras, pottery wheels, sewing machines, batik pots and a heat press.

Key Stage 3 Curriculum

Whilst in Years 7 and 9 students study Art and Design in mixed ability classes for two periods a fortnight. Students in Year 8 have three lessons a fortnight. Each year group is set projects tailored to their abilities with each task building on and enhancing the skills learned previously. Projects vary in length but encompass a wide range of techniques and exploration based around a central theme.

Homework is set regularly and students are expected to research and analyse the work of an artist or to demonstrate their understanding of a technique learned in lessons. Students are given clear instructions and marking criteria for each homework task, and are shown examples of what is expected. Students have the option to work after school in the art department where art teachers are available to provide guidance if needed.





	  Term 1 Term 2 Term 3




	Year 7 Tone, Colour Colour , Painting to Music Masks


	Year 8 Natural Forms Barbara Hepworth Portraits


	Year 9 Identity: Shoes Identity: Graffiti Graffiti/Comic books/GCSE work

	Term 1	Term 2	Term 3
Year 7	Tone, Colour	Colour , Painting to Music	Masks
Year 8	Natural Forms	Barbara Hepworth	Portraits
Year 9	Identity: Shoes	Identity: Graffiti	Graffiti/Comic books/GCSE work

‘A line is a dot that went for a walk’ – Paul Klee

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

AQA Art and Design 4200

Students can opt to study an Art subject at Key Stage 4 as a single option of five periods a fortnight. Students can choose from Fine Art, Textiles or 3D Design. Each Art GCSE course is 60% coursework and 40% exam. All GCSE Art and Design courses are structured in the same way but the different groups will be taught relevant specialist techniques to their subject area.

We expect students studying Art and Design at GCSE to produce a considerable amount of work outside of lessons. All work, from day one of the course will count towards a student’s coursework.





	  3D Fine Art Textiles




	Year 10 Sea Forms Time and Place Natural Forms


	Year 11 Human Forms Micro Art Patterns in Nature

	3D	Fine Art	Textiles
Year 10	Sea Forms	Time and Place	Natural Forms
Year 11	Human Forms	Micro Art	Patterns in Nature

“Creativity takes courage.” – Henri Matisse

Key Stage 5 Curriculum

AQA A level Art and Design Specification code: 7201 – 7206, 7241 – 7246

Students opting to study Art and Design at Oriel Sixth Form can pick either 3D Design, Fine Art, Textiles Design or Photography as a single option of eight periods a fortnight. Our A2 levels are awarded by the AQA exam board and are weighted 60% coursework and 40% practical examination.

In Year 12 and 13 students build on their learning from Key Stage 4 and further their knowledge and understanding on their chosen subject. The table below is an example of the projects that students will study at Key Stage 5.





	  3D Fine Art Textiles Photography




	Year 12 Surface and Structure Lost and Found Architectural Detail Figure and Form


	Year 13 Form and Function Metamorphosis Transitions Encounters