Creative Arts  

Arts in Key Stage 3

The KS3 curriculum introduces key formal elements to students through a range of projects. These projects encourage students to work both solely and as part of a group. They are introduced to basic key skills through the formal elements and then these are built on throughout the three years. Each project is designed to enhance and build on initial skills taught, going into greater depth while encouraging creative thinking, risk-taking and confidence. 

• Focus on exploration, discussion, and independence 
• Low-stakes, formative assessment 
• Repetition to build fluency and automaticity
• Offer Art, Graphics, Textiles & Photography at KS3 and KS4 (AQA GCSE)

Key Stage 4 GCSE pathway

The KS4 curriculum - GCSE  Art, Photography and Textiles,  students will explore ideas, experiences and respond to a theme or issue of personal significance. They will look at different approaches to art and use a variety of different media, techniques and materials including drawing, painting, sculpture, installation and mixed-media. In GCSE Art , Photography and Textiles students will explore their imaginative, experimental side in their creative outcomes while gaining a knowledge of Art history as they research and analyse artworks. As a coursework-based subject, students will gain valuable time management skills and the subject can balance the pressure of revision-based subjects. Art is a form of self-expression and during the course students will develop confidence, as well as higher appreciation for a visual interpretation of Geography, History and Culture. A Fine Art, Photography or Textiles GCSE can be a gateway into many creative careers including graphic design, architecture, animation, illustration and museum/gallery curation.  In exploring a wide range of artists and media, students will find is a type of art out there for everyone.

The qualifications enables us to:

• Empower students through their own artistic practice 
• Build on students’ prior experiences and personal identity 
• Develop self-directed, reflective, and critically aware students 
• Promote higher-order thinking transferable across the curriculum 
• Ensure students become creatively and technically competent for any future pathway
• Year 10 & 11: 
• Portfolio-based coursework projects 
• Structured project framework for independence and pace 
• Explicit teaching of Assessment Objectives 

Ongoing use of: 

• Self and peer assessment 
• Dialogue with staff and students 
• Annotation
• Students achieve a recognised GCSE qualification 

Develop: 

• Creative confidence and independence 
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills 
• Strong sense of identity and personal voice 

Able to: 

• Apply artistic understanding to the wider world 
• Transition successfully to further education or employment 
• Leave as creative, intuitive, and technically skilled individuals