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In Art we are committed to developing pupils' individual creativity and confidence visually communicating with a broad and varied range of materials and processes. This is achieved through our carefully planned curriculum, which is designed to:

Provide an inspiring and varied experience which enables all pupils to use a rich variety of drawing, painting, photography, 3D, printing and mixed media processes
Develop confidence making decisions and managing projects with increased independence and personal direction
Celebrate achievement with consistent and regular feedback resulting in high quality displays, competitions and exhibitions
At all key stages, provide pupils with every opportunity to recognise and achieve their creative potential and develop awareness of the creative industries to enable them to respond positively to the world when they leave school

In KS3, KS4 and Fine Art at A Level sketchbooks are used to document learning, and to evidence drawing and painting skills, critical understanding and planning towards final projects. In Photography A Level students have the choice to use sketchbooks or digital PowerPoints to record the progression of their projects. Work at all key stages work is regularly assessed with consistent feedback to ensure pupils always know how they can make continued progress.

We exhibit pupils' work both in school and in the local community regularly throughout the year. Advertisements and examples of these exhibitions and other competitions and highlights can be found @art_stmarys on Instagram and in the weekly Parent Newsletter.

Alongside these communication points we also publish a monthly Creative Industries Bulletin displayed around the department for students, this advertises entry into a range of local and national Art competitions as well as monthly creative industry news highlights.

Key Stage 3

Projects in this Key Stage have been carefully designed to build technical skill, analytical understanding, understanding of visual communication and independent decision making. Our aim is to broaden pupils’ horizons outside of school; by igniting interest and curiosity in the world around them through accurate interpretation of their surroundings and historical and contemporary media sources.

Each project aspires towards these aims by progressively nurturing four key skills; Understanding of arts and culture, experimentation with materials, observational drawing and planning of final outcomes, realisation of intentions by creating a final outcome.

The challenge of these four key skills increases throughout Key Stage 3, preparing students for Key Stage 4 courses in a wide range of subjects. Should students choose pursue art further, these four key skills have been designed also to feed neatly into the four assessment objectives that students are measured by in Key Stages 4 and 5.

Year 7

‘Imaginary Creature’ Project

Students study artist Max Ernst, broadening creative horizons and introducing technical drawing with a focus on proportion, tone, form and texture. Students realise intentions by designing an imaginary clay creature that aims to demonstrate understanding of the above visual elements.

‘Under the Sea’ Project

Students study biologist Ernst Haeckel, closely observing the wonder of the world around them to greater revise visual elements form and detail. Students experiment with and increasing bank of materials including printing techniques.

‘Abstract Landscapes’ Project

Students study artist Henry Moore and reflect upon contemporary set design such as the creation of landscapes in the Star Wars series. Students observe animal skulls from real life and use chalk to create their own abstract landscape that has form and depth.

Year 8

‘Fauvism’ Project

Students study the Fauvist art movement and Still Life to learn about colour theory and pattern. Technical drawing builds on prior learning. Students create a final ‘fauvist’ still life art piece drawing bottles and flowers from observation using oil pastels.

‘Clay Character’ Project

Students learn about the Creative Industries, studying illustration and stop-motion animation through character design that is realised with a final character made of clay.

‘Landscapes and Trees’ Project

Students observe repeated patterns in the natural world and study Yorkshire artist David Hockney to learn mark making techniques. The project includes drawing trees from life around the school grounds and creating anthropomorphised tree paintings in the style of illustrator Arthur Rackham.

Year 9

‘Portraits’ Project

Students take their technical drawing up a gear increasing their understanding of measuring, proportion and technical accuracy through portraiture. A wider pool of artists is explored including; Agnes Cecile, Gabriel Moreno and street artists Rocket 01. Students make more independent project choices taking inspiration from their favourite artists and using materials they are most confident with.

‘Book of Kells’ Project

Students are introduced to Art History through the Book of Kells, exploring; traditional pigments and art materials, calligraphy, symbolism and the history of the bible and visual communication. Students create a final manuscript page symbolic of themselves that is bound into a ‘Year Group Manuscript’ displayed in reception and in St Andrews Schools Art Exhibition the following October.

‘Environment’ Project

Students explore a wide pool of artists including; Mark Powell, Paula Swisher, Vincent Van Gogh, Andy Goldsworthy and Banksy. Students analyse artists responses to their environments building on prior knowledge including Art History to make connections to their personal environments and beauty on their doorsteps.

Key Stage 4

At GCSE, pupils build upon the independence that they began to exercise in Year 9 combined with the technical skill and understanding of visual elements studied throughout Key Stage 3.

They create two coursework projects between the September of Year 10 and the December of Year 11. The first project explores a variety of drawing, painting (including acrylic and oil) and photographic skills based on the theme of ‘Disguise’.

Students begin the course in September and undertake two coursework projects comprising 60% of their final GCSE grade. Following this students embark upon their ‘External Assignment’ in January of Year 11 resulting in a 10 hour exam. This project accounts for 40% of students final grade.

Project 1: Disguise Project

September – December Year 10

This project is designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn new skills and techniques in preparation for their main coursework project that begins in January. This includes developing the independence and organisation required for GCSE, oil painting, acrylic painting, ink and more.

Students create an A2+ sized final piece for display in the Art rooms.

Project 2: Portfolio Project

January Year 10- December Year 11.

Unlike the previous project where all students choose the same starting point of ‘Disguise’, students choose their own starting point from a choice of seven. Students create evidence for each of the four key Assessment Objectives and develop skills and confidence through a variety of drawing, painting, photography and clay modelling experiences.

As the project evolves students begin to make more decisions that support their own creative tastes and interests.

Project 3: External Assignment

January Year 11- April/May Year 11.

At the beginning of January AQA release an exam paper detailing a choice of seven starting points. Students must choose one and produce a project evidencing work from the same four, now familiar, Assessment Objectives.

Students begin with a research trip to Leeds Art Gallery and the Hepworth Wakefield. Students are expected to manage the process towards the four key Assessment Objectives with greater independence during this project.

Their individual projects lead them to realise their intentions in a 10 hour exam in April/ May to conclude the course.

Exam Board: AQA Art & Design (Fine Art)

For further details please visit: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/art-and-design/gcse/art-and-design-8201/specification/subject-content/fine-art

Key Stage 5

At Key Stage 5 we offer two distinct courses, A Level Fine Art and A level Photography. Students can choose to study both courses if they wish, they would receive two separate A Levels. Please see a more detailed breakdown of the two courses below.

Both Fine Art and Photography students have several opportunities to exhibition artworks in sixth form which include; the St Andrews Schools Art Exhibition in October, Sheffield Hallam’s Futures Now Schools and Collages exhibition, a Year 12 solo exhibition and the final end of year show.

A Level Fine Art

The A Level Fine Art course is able to accommodate up to fifteen students, housed in a purpose-built Art Studio. The A level course is designed to develop the skills accrued at GCSE to an advanced level. Year 12 functions as an exploratory year in which students can exercise their skills at a higher level, take risks and build greater confidence and understanding of technical skill and visual communication.

Students create two projects in Year 12 that serve to build the required skills for their later coursework and exam projects. At the end of Year 12, students begin their ‘Personal Investigation’ project which accounts for 60% of their final grade. In February the exam board release a paper which begins their final ‘External Assignment’ accounting for 40% of their grade and concluding in a 15 hour exam.

Project 1: Experience Project

September Year 12 – January Year 12

In this initial project, students choose from a list of possible starting points before producing evidence towards each of the four Assessment Objectives. Students are taught to manage an A Level project with greater purpose, independence and organisation.

Students and taught to analyse a range of sources in more depth and greater emphasis is excepted in regard to visual communication via concepts such as composition, colour theory, mark making, scale, framing, focal points and more.

Project 2: Mock Project

February Year 12 - June Year 12

This second project mocks the time frame students will have to complete their 40% exam project in Year 13. It also provides complete autonomy over their projects starting point which replicates the process in their 60% coursework project.

Students build upon previous learning and are supported to produce a highly personalised project reflective of their own interests and aiming to communicate something of importance to them.

Project 3: Personal Investigation Project

June Year 12 - January Year 13

This begins with a research trip to London art galleries where students draw from live art that personally inspires them. Students use in depth analysis to consider symbolism and narrative within works and develop a greater understanding of how they can communicate through their art work. They proceed then to evidence work from the four, now familiar, Assessment Objectives.

Written understanding is evidenced through a ‘journal’ that documents learning and understanding that has taken place over the course of the project.

Project 4: External Assignment

February Year 13 - April/May Year 13

In the February of Year 13, students undertake the A level ‘External Assignment’ project, which utilises their knowledge and skills in order to once again create evidence for each of the four key Assessment Objectives.

This project follows the familiar format explored previously but tests students’ confidence both in regards to visual communication and technical skill with a shorter time frame and an independently lead 15 hour exam to conclude the course.

The knowledge and skills developed over the course fully prepares students for a wide range of undergraduate study programmes. Recent graduates have gone on to do degrees in Architecture, Marketing, Medicine, Physics, Fine Art, Advertising, History, Education and more.

Exam Board: AQA Art & Design (Fine Art)

For further details please visit: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/art-and-design/as-and-a-level/art-and-design

A Level Photography

The A Level Photography course is able to accommodate up to ten students, housed in a purpose-built Photography Studio. The course is designed to develop the same creative skills accrued throughout KS3 and KS4 but to an advanced level and through a different visual format. Rather than understanding being evidenced through technical drawing skill, Photography students visually communicate their understanding through a lens and proficiency using digital technologies.

The course is supported by the use of Photoshop for digital editing, six DSLR cameras, an exhibition space for large A2 photographs, and a range of lighting equipment and props to enhance the photoshoot experience.

Year 12 functions as an exploratory year in which students can exercise their skills at a higher level, take risks and build greater confidence and understanding of technical skill and visual communication. Students create two projects in Year 12 that serve to build the required skills for their later coursework and exam projects. At the end of Year 12, students begin their ‘Personal Investigation’ project which accounts for 60% of their final grade. In February the exam board release a paper which begins their final ‘External Assignment’ accounting for 40% of their grade and concluding in a 15 hour exam.

Project 1: Experience Project

September Year 12 – January Year 12

This initial project in Year 12 functions as an introduction the course and new skills distinct to Photography. It begins with a range of experiences that enable the students to explore the use of camera functions, Photoshop and other digital editing software, and industry-based photographic processes. Experimentation, and learning through practice and experience are key parts of the course at this stage. Students evidence their progress through four Assessment Objectives in weekly tasks and can choose to do this digitally or using a sketchbook. Students learn how to present evidence to showcase their learning effectively.

Students are supported to develop greater understanding of visual elements and visual communication in context to photography.

Project 2: Mock Project

February Year 12 - June Year 12

Students build upon previous learning and are supported to produce a highly personalised project reflective of their own interests and aiming to communicate something of importance to them.

Project 3: Personal Investigation Project

June Year 12 - January Year 13

This begins with a research trip to London art galleries where students record live art and photography that personally inspires them. Students use in depth analysis to consider symbolism and narrative within works and develop a greater understanding of how they can communicate through their art work. Students are encouraged to make connections between traditional Fine Art approaches and contemporary media to add depth and purpose to their later choices and decision making. They proceed then to evidence work from the four Assessment Objectives. Written understanding is evidenced through a ‘journal’ that documents learning and understanding that has taken place over the course of the project.

Project 4: External Assignment

February Year 13 - April/May Year 13

In the February of Year 13, students undertake the A Level ‘External Assignment’ project, which utilises their knowledge and skills in order to once again create evidence for each of the four key Assessment Objectives.

The knowledge and skills developed over the course fully prepares students for a wide range of undergraduate study programmes. Recent graduates have gone on to do degrees in Film, Photography, Marketing, Product Design, Theatre and Set Design, Animation, Education and more.