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In Art we are committed to developing pupils' individual creativity and visual confidence 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, 3D, printing and mixed media processes
Develop independent learning skills and confidence with making decisions to enable successful and rewarding results to be achieved
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 to enable them to respond positively to the world when they leave school

Sketchbooks are used to document learning, and to evidence drawing and painting skills, critical understanding and planning towards final projects. These are regularly assessed to enable review and refinement to take place. To celebrate progress, we exhibit pupils' work both at school and in the local community. We also support entry into a range of local and national Art competitions.

Key Stage 3

Art projects in this Key Stage are focussed on specific materials with clear outcomes that develop research, communication and technical skills. There are three main projects each year, and these are designed to develop pupils skills and confidence in three key areas: drawing, painting and clay work. In Year 9, an increased focus on independent decision making prepares pupils for the challenges of the GCSE Art course.

In all years, pupils study artists' work to gain critical understanding, use drawing to help communicate and understand the visual world, and plan and make final project pieces. Pupils sketch books document indivual progress and evidence a wide range of skills. Regular assessments provide essential feedback which enables pupils to review and refine their work. Further detail about the specific projects pupils will undertake can be found below:

Year 7

· ‘Crazy Creature’ clay project

· ‘Underwater’ painting and printing project

· ‘Close-up’ drawing and mixed media project

Year 8

· ‘Fauvism’ drawing and mixed media project

· Clay ‘Character’ project

· ‘Hockney’ Landscape Project, drawing & painting

Year 9

· ‘This is Me’ drawing and painting project

· 'Sendak' illustration project

· ‘Environment Sketchbook’ Project, drawing and painting

Key Stage 4

Students who opt to study Art at GCSE will follow the AQA syllabus.

At GCSE, pupils build upon the independence that they began to exercise in Year 9. 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’. In the second project, pupils create an artwork based upon one of seven starting points/themes. They learn how to create evidence for each of the four key Assessment Objectives, and they develop skills and confidence through a variety of drawing, painting, photographic and clay modelling experiences. As the project evolves they begin to make more decisions to support their own creative tastes and interests. Pupils are supported by regular assessment and feedback, which enables accurate reviewing and refinement to take place. These two projects comprise 60% of the final grade.

In the January of Year 11, pupils embark upon the ‘GCSE Support Project’, which begins with a research trip to the Leeds and Wakefield Art Galleries. Pupils are expected to manage progress towards the four key Assessment Objectives with greater independance during this project. Once again, regular feedback supports pupils' progress and ensures that they are meeting their independent targets.

Exam Board: AQA Art & Design (Fine Art)

Key Stage 5

A level Art

Students who opt to study Art at A level will follow the AQA Fine Art syllabus.

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. Students create two projects, the first between September and February, and the second between February and May. In the first project, students choose from a list of possible starting points before producing evidence towards each of the four Assessment Objectives. The second project provides students with the opportunity to produce a Mock Exam piece. Regular assessment and feedback is given to enable students to review and refine their progress.

Towards the end of the year, a series of drawing and painting workshops support students in developing their confidence with observational skills. Students then embark upon a 'Personal Research Project', which is supported by a research trip to London offering 'drawing from live art' experiences in several major Art Galleries. The project culminates in a large-scale artwork, exhibited in the Chesterfield Schools Art Exhibition in October. Regular feedback enables effective reviewing and refining to take place throughout the project. This ensures that students are able to performing to their potential. Written understanding is evidenced through a ‘journal’ that documents the learning and understanding that has taken place over the course of the project. This project is worth 60% of the final award.

In the February of Year 13, students undertake the ‘A level External Assignment Project’, which utilises their knowledge and skills in order to create evidence for each of the four key Assessment Objectives. Once again, regular feedback supports students' progress, and ensures that they are able to meet their independent targets.

The knowledge and skills developed over the course fully prepares students for a wide range of undergraduate study programmes.

Exam Board: AQA Art & Design (Fine Art)

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

A level Photography

Students who opt to study Photography at A level will follow the AQA Photography syllabus.

The A level photography course is able to accomodate up to ten students, housed in a purpose-built Photography room. 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 introductory year to the course, which begins with a range of exercises that enable the students to explore the use of camera functions, Photoshop and 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 in weekly tasks digitally and learn how to present evidence to showcase their learning for assessment and feedback.

The first project (February) provides pupils with the opportunity to produce a Mock Exam piece. Regular assessment and feedback is given to enable students to review and refine their progress.

Towards the end of the year, students then embark upon a 'Personal Investigation Project', which is supported by a research trip to London offering the opportunity to study photography in several major Art Galleries. The project culminates in a large-scale photography, exhibited in the Chesterfield Schools Art Exhibition in October. Regular feedback enables effective reviewing and refining to take place throughout the project. This ensures that students are able to performing to their potential. Written understanding is evidenced through a ‘Journal’ that documents the learning and understanding that has taken place over the course of the project. This project is worth 60% of the final award.

In the February of Year 13, students undertake the ‘A level External Assignment Project’ which utilises their knowledge and skills in order to create evidence for each of the four key Assessment Objectives. Once again, regular feedback supports students' progress, and ensures that they are able to meet their independent targets.

The knowledge and skills developed over the course fully prepares students for a wide range of undergraduate study programmes.

Exam Board: AQA Art & Design (Photography)