Art
BackArt is the application of creative ideas through a range of different skills and techniques: it teaches you how to observe and how to show what you have observed through a range of different media. Art is about being inspired by others and reflecting on their work to influence your own.
Learning Journey
Year 7
In Year 7, students are introduced to the Formal Elements of Art, forming the foundation for all future artistic study. Through experimentation with a range of media and techniques, students develop observational drawing, creative thinking, and technical skills. Students learn how artists use the formal elements to communicate ideas and create visual impact, while building confidence, resilience and independence. The curriculum encourages exploration, critical reflection and appreciation of artists from different cultures and historical periods, preparing students for progression into Key Stage 4.
| Key Skills: | |
|---|---|
|
Students develop skills in: Understanding and applying the formal elements: Line, Pattern, Form, Value, Space, Texture and Colour. Observational drawing from natural forms and objects. Demonstrating form using light, shade and tonal values. Colour theory including primary, secondary and tertiary colours, complementary and analogous colour schemes. Researching artists and understanding their work. Painting techniques influenced by Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists, including Vincent van Gogh. Self, peer and teacher assessment to improve outcomes. |
|
|
Year 7 Assessment Points: Students are assessed throughout the year through practical outcomes and ongoing formative assessment. Autumn Term Line and pattern, including continuous line and pattern work. Analysis of artists’ work. Spring Term Form and value, including mixed media work. Summer Term Colour theory exercises and colour wheel. Post-Impressionist landscape painting inspired by Van Gogh and Impressionism. |
|
|
Key Vocabulary Colour, primary, secondary, analogous, tertiary, complimentary, Line Continuous line Shape Form Space Negative, positive Value, highlight, shadow Texture Pattern Impressionism Gradation Illusion Sculpture |
Enrichment Students are encouraged to extend their learning through:
Attending art club.
|
Year 8
In Year 8, students build upon their understanding of the Formal Elements and develop greater independence in recording, analysing and creating artwork. Through the theme of Collections and the exploration of Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations, students refine their observational drawing, painting and mixed media skills. Students investigate the work of artists including Jim Dine and Frida Kahlo, learning how artists communicate personal, cultural and symbolic meanings. The curriculum encourages experimentation with a wider range of materials and techniques while strengthening critical thinking, creativity and confidence. Students are challenged to develop increasingly sophisticated outcomes in preparation for Key Stage 4.
| Key Skills: | |
|---|---|
|
Observational drawing from primary and secondary sources, including collections of objects, tools and anatomical studies. |
|
|
Year 8 Assessment Points: Students are assessed throughout the year through practical outcomes and ongoing formative assessment. Autumn Term Observational drawings of tools. Analysis of artist’s work. Spring Term Analysis of artists’ work. Painting skills. Summer Term Anatomical drawings and tonal values. Mixed media composition combining anatomy, flowers and decorative symbolism. |
|
|
Key Vocabulary Tonal Values |
Enrichment Students are encouraged to extend their learning through:
|
Year 9
In Year 9, students explore how art can communicate powerful social, political and cultural messages through the theme of Political Portraits. Students investigate the work of contemporary artists including Josh Bryan and Shepard Fairey, alongside the influence of political activism and street art. Through observational drawing, portraiture, typography and mixed media techniques, students develop increasingly independent creative and analytical skills. The curriculum encourages students to consider how artists express opinions, challenge audiences and raise awareness of important issues. Students refine their drawing, composition and communication skills while developing confidence in expressing personal viewpoints, preparing them for further study at GCSE.
| Key Skills: | |
|---|---|
|
Understanding how artists use visual imagery to communicate political and social messages. |
|
|
Year 9 Assessment Points: Students are assessed throughout the year through practical outcomes, artist research and ongoing formative assessment. |
|
|
Key Vocabulary Political |
Enrichment Students are encouraged to extend their learning through:
|
Year 10
In Year 10, students begin the GCSE Fine Art course and develop a deeper understanding of the creative process through the OCR assessment objectives. Students explore the themes of Natural Forms and Man-made Structures, producing highly personalised responses through drawing, painting, printmaking and mixed media. They learn to record from first-hand observation and photography, analyse and respond to the work of artists, refine ideas through experimentation, and present professional outcomes. Students develop independence, resilience and creativity while building the skills and knowledge required for GCSE success..
| Key Skills: | |
|---|---|
|
In Year 10, students begin the GCSE Fine Art course and develop a deeper understanding of the creative process through the OCR assessment objectives. Students explore the themes of Natural Forms and Man-made Structures, producing highly personalised responses through drawing, painting, printmaking and mixed media. They learn to record from first-hand observation and photography, analyse and respond to the work of artists, refine ideas through experimentation, and present professional outcomes. Students develop independence, resilience and creativity while building the skills and knowledge required for GCSE success. |
|
|
Year 10 Assessment Points: Students are assessed throughout the year against the GCSE Art Assessment Objectives and standards (AO1–AO4).
|
|
|
Key Vocabulary Recording
|
Enrichment Students are encouraged to extend their learning through:
|
Year 11
In Year 11, students build upon the skills developed in Year 10 and complete both their GCSE coursework portfolio and external set task. Through the theme of Patterns in Structures and a personalised examination project, students refine their ability to record from observation, develop ideas through artist research, experiment with a range of media and techniques, and produce meaningful final outcomes. Students become increasingly independent artists, demonstrating creativity, critical thinking and resilience while responding to all four GCSE Assessment Objectives, preparing them for further study at Sixth Form or College.
| Key Skills: | |
|---|---|
|
Understanding and applying the GCSE Assessment Objectives (AO1–AO4). |
|
|
Year 11 Assessment Points: Students are assessed throughout the year against the GCSE Art Assessment Objectives and standards (AO1–AO4).
|
|
|
Key Vocabulary Record Develop |
Enrichment Students are encouraged to extend their learning through: |