‘Every child is an artist”
Outcomes for students in Art are consistently outstanding at all key stages. The Hayfield School Art department offers a diverse curriculum that develops pupils into artists; it is a popular, highly engaging subject that not only connects with pupils on a deep conceptual level but also explores and challenges their views on culture in the wider world. The curriculum is delivered by passionate, dedicated teachers who celebrate creative expression.
All pupils learn to deconstruct and analyse other artists, artisans, cultures and historical periods, allowing them to apply this knowledge to their own work and make connections between contexts and styles to become both critics and practitioners. Pupils work on both collaborative and individual projects in a variety of traditional media and new technologies. Particular emphasis is placed on reflection and peer/self evaluation time to help pupils improve outcomes. We encourage pupils to develop their skills through the effective setting of home learning.
In KS3 the aim is to create the building blocks in knowledge, understanding and skill. Pupils are introduced to the four areas of assessment; Contextual References, Ideas and Experimentation, Recording, and Final Outcomes to get them prepared for the GCSE syllabus.
In year 7 we focus on quality of drawing through observation and the Elements of Art. They will experience a range of wet and dry media to develop control and techniques. The first cross-curricular topic is an investigation into literature illustration. This project is designed to develop techniques and skill in a real world scenario. In the second term pupils develop their skills through the investigation of the Art movement Expressionism. Pupils could also learn about Henri Rousseau Jungles and how to build a composition and the work of Kandinsky in response to music. In the third term a cross curricular project they will investigate an environmental issue e.g. Global Warming, Endangered species, Ocean pollution and work collaboratively in a group to produce an outcome that delivers a clear message.
In Year 8 the focus is centered around understanding the meaning behind art and the ability to create ideas and experiment in response to an Artist, movement, culture. In the first term we investigate Pop Art and its interpretation e.g. satire, irony, mass production, celebrity culture. In the second term we investigate African Art and culture with a focus on the meaning behind symbols, artifact e.g. masks, sculptures. We learn about the artisans in Africa and the processes they do to create their handcrafted products. We consider the differences in culture and way of life. The outcomes for this project are both 2D and 3D with pupils experiencing a wide range of traditional crafts e.g. printing, weaving, mask making in clay, shield design and a collaborative piece. The third term is a cross curricular project with science astronomy, spacecraft, galaxies, asteroids, comets and planets. We investigate the Film Poster artist Drew Struzman. Particular focus is put on developing techniques and experimenting in creating space landscapes and science fiction compositions.
Year 9 is set as a foundation year for GCSE with pupils growing in confidence to follow personal ideas. They will learn how to respond to a GCSE starting point and how to present work in a sketchbook. Two projects are studied with the first one been sweet/treats. This project connects to child hood memories, photorealism, Sarah Graham and Wayne Thiebauld. The second Identity (portraiture) investigates a range of differences within society e.g. Culture, stereotypes, age, personalities roles/jobs, gender, sexual orientation. Pupils choose their own line of enquiry that is the most personal to them. Pupils will focus on improving the standard of their work to GCSE level. If some of the work is successful it can be used as a project for the GCSE qualification in year 10.
Specification: AQA Art and Design (Fine Art)
Coursework: Unit 1 60%
Examination: Unit 2 40%
This is the most important time for coursework and pupils will be focused on completing the identity project and then starting a major project that carries on until the end of the first term in year 11.The major project can lead to a whole range of different experiences e.g. printing, clay, sculpture, painting, drawing, photography, video, installation, time based art. It is up to the individual or small groups to direct their own learning and the teacher becomes the facilitator and mentor in their creative journey. Lessons at this level can be directed as well as independent learning. Pupils will be under continuous guidance and review to enable them to show clear progress in the quality of their coursework.
Unit 1 coursework 60% of the final grade is completed at the end of term one. Term two to the end of May is the Unit 2 examination 40%. This unit of work is similar to the coursework as it uses the same marking criteria but it does include a ten-hour exam period that the pupils will undertake. Pupils will select one of the AQA examination boards starting points for investigation. They will have a preparation period where they will produce a sketchbook of research around the topic.
Useful Links & Revision Pointers
Pinterest Account: Hayfield Art Department / Plunketts classroom
The Pinterest account holds copies of key resources for all year groups. It is also an essential tool for looking at good examples of sketchbook work and outcomes that we have collected from the internet plus past GCSE and A level work from Hayfield.
Useful websites for all years:
Year 7 and 8 Wednesday Lunch time club (Subject to change)
Year 9, 10, 11 Monday and Tuesday Lunch time Club (Subject to change)
All years after school club is on a Thursday 3:30pm – 4:45pm (Subject to change)