Art and Design

 

Art and Design in Canons High School is concerned with the development of visual and tactile language, and with practical skills to foster an understanding of how ideas, feelings and experiences can be expressed. The subject increases aesthetic awareness, self-esteem, confidence and develops the imagination. Art contributes in a significant way to the social, moral and spiritual life in the school.

The Importance of Art and Design

Art and Design stimulates creativity and imagination. It provides visual, tactile and sensory experiences and a unique way of understanding and responding to the world. Students use colour, form, texture, pattern and different materials and processes to communicate what they see, feel and think. Through Art and Design activities, they learn to make informed value judgements and aesthetic and practical decisions, becoming actively involved in shaping environments. They explore ideas and meanings in the work of artists, craftspeople and designers. They learn about the diverse roles and functions of art, craft and design in contemporary life, and in different times and cultures. Understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the visual arts have the power to enrich our personal and public lives.

Art and Design is taught by two specialist teachers in well resourced art rooms which include a wide range of 2D and 3D materials, 13 laptops, SLR and digital cameras, and a separate darkroom.

Art and Design is part of the curriculum for all students in Key Stage 3 (Year 8 and Year 9), where students study 1 hour per week. In Key Stage 4 (Year 10 and Year 11) Art is a popular GCSE option, where the students study for 5 hours per fortnight.

Art and design at Canons High School: Key Stage Three

At Canons High School year 8 pupils are taught art for 3 fifty minute periods per fortnight. In year 9 pupils are taught for two fifty minute periods per fortnight. The curriculum is designed so that students are given the opportunity to produce a final outcome through

  • Printmaking
  • 3D
  • Painting

As well as undertaking at least one project or focused area of study each term to a particular theme. Students will produce associated sketch book work including drawing, photography and collage to develop ideas.  Students will also be expected to make written notes and evaluations in their sketchbooks using artists' work and showing techniques used by the artists, along with contextual research of artists using the internet.

Students are taught how to investigate, experiment and take risks with their creative practice.  They learn how to critically evaluate their own and others' work in order to inform, refine and develop their artistic endeavours. 

Assessment

Progress is recorded fortnightly and half-termly. Targets are set at the start of term based on an initial assessment done at the beginning of term and students work is marked against this data using red, amber and green marks. At the end of each half term the student is given a level in accordance with those awarded at National Curriculum. Students' assessment is supported through group critical analysis of each others work and through verbal feedback given by the teacher in class

Red=Not achieving target grade

Amber=Achieving target grade

Green=Exceeding target grade

Homework

Homework is set fortnightly.  It is related to an ongoing project and done in the student's sketch book.  Students are also expected to carry out investigative tasks as directed and use the internet for homework research.  Homework is assessed through verbal and written feedback using a homework comment sheet.

Support for your child out of class

Students should record information visually as much as possible from their own environment and experiment with different media. Looking at art books, the Internet and CD ROMs will develop knowledge of other artists and art movements. We have a good selection of books in the school library and within the Art department.  We encourage students to visit local libraries and select books related to ongoing projects.  Visits to art galleries and museums are enjoyable and often free and will help students to develop their analytical and critical skills in art.

Topics covered (2009/10)

Art Deco                                            Identity             The buildings of Hundertwasser                      

Narrative African printmaking               Still life              Public art

Art and design at Canons High School: Key Stage Four

There are two option groups for art

GCSE art and design (unendorsed)

GCSE art and design: Photography

Both of these courses lead to a full GCSE award. Students work with specialist teachers for both art and photography. They have art for one single and one double period per week.

Students develop knowledge and understanding of :-

  • A range of art, craft and design processes in either 2D or 3D
  • How ideas, feelings and meanings are conveyed in images and artefacts
  • How images and artefacts relate to their social, historical and cultural context
  • A variety of genres, styles and traditions and the contribution of artists to continuity and change in art, craft and design

Students are expected to produce one unit of coursework and a timed exam undertaken within a supervised period in year 11. Year 10 is dedicated to experimentation with media and developing techniques and skills required to produce a robust piece of coursework in year 11.      

One coursework project with associated sketch books and written work account for 60% of the final mark. The ten hour examination and preparatory work account for 40% of marks.

The timed examination involves six weeks' preparatory sketchbook work and one final 2D, 3D or photographic piece

To celebrate the achievements of the students, an exhibition of the students work in both art and design technology is put on, along with a fashion show highlighting the textiles students' work. Parents are invited and the exhibition is open to the public.

ASSESSMENT                          

Students in year 10 are given a target grade based on data provided by the school. A Green, amber or red mark is given against these target grades on a half- termly basis. Coursework is marked according to GCSE grade criteria.

Green: Student is exceeding their target grade

Amber: Student is expected to reach their target grade

Red: student is failing to meet standards required to achieve target grade

HOMEWORK

You are given homework in order to extend your knowledge of issues in practices in both historical and contemporary art and also as a means of finishing work started in class. The art rooms are open on Tuesday and Friday after school in order to help students with homework tasks and coursework catch up. Homework completion is essential to success on the GCSE course

SUPPORT FOR YOUR CHILD OUT OF CLASS

We expect our students to do a great deal of independent research in order to develop and refine their ideas.  They should also draw regularly from different sources and experiment where possible with the different techniques they have been taught.  A kit of basic art materials at home is desirable if your child wants to produce work that shows a range of skills. Visits to museums and art galleries are also useful and free.

USEFUL BOOKS

As advised by the specialist teacher.  We have a good selection of reference books within the school library and the art department.  Students should be encouraged to buy the book "BBC Bitesize GCSE Revision for Art and Design". Tate online also has a student support page which is very useful, as it keeps up to date with the exam papers as they are released and provides resources for students to complete their preparatory work.

Art Club

An Art Club is run 3 times a week during the lunchtime and 1 evening after school, to give students extra time to continue developing their creative work or completing their Art and Design homework.