Art education teaches how to interpret, to be critical, to use visual information, and how to make choices based upon it. When students practise thinking creatively and solving problems, it will become more naturally a way of thinking, which will help them both in school and in their future life. We aim to teach students to take time and care with their work, and to become thorough in how they observe the world. Art provides challenges for learners at all levels.
Art can develop a student’s creativity and the skills learnt will be beneficial to a range of academic subjects. For example, visual arts teach learners about colour, composition, perspective and balance; all concepts that are necessary in making and giving presentations (visual or digital). At MVC we learn about artists, crafts-people and designers across many cultures, which can connect students to the wider world.
Art helps to develop fine motor skills and the use of both sides of the brain. We aim to teach the mastery of techniques in art which in turn bolsters our students’ own confidence. Some aspects of art education may give students a chance to step outside their comfort zone.
Art can be challenging, however, and students will also learn perseverance. Many skills are revisited and practised several times during KS3, aiming to master and improve each time. This growth mindset will certainly matter as they grow, enter new phases of education and also in their working life where they may be asked to continually develop new skills and work through some aspects of their role that they find difficult.
All KS3 projects are designed to test the students’ embedded learning of core art skills in art and design in preparation for GCSE. The projects cover art from another culture, realism in art, and the art of popular culture, all linked to influential artist’s ideas and work. Throughout each year group, we aim to show students how embedded learning in Art and Design can increase both their skills and creativity and act as a secure building block for future artistic study. We also want students to enjoy their creativity.
We will cover the following:
Half term |
Topics studied; skills and knowledge |
How this will be assessed |
Autumn - 1 |
Baseline assessment – 2 weeks Drawing Workshops -3 weeks Seashore Project to include higher level drawing of shells and pebbles. Homework research Project on the book of Shells by the Japanese Artist Utamaro – 6 weeks going into the next half-term |
Through constantly reviewing sketchbook work including verbal feedback and half termly go4schools mark entry. Final marking of each termly project will include marking and summary of achievement in sketchbook also noted in Go4schools. The marks are based on creative development of project work over time, not one-off pieces of work. |
Autumn - 2 |
Continuation and development of observational Seashore project |
As above |
Spring - 1 |
Egyptian Scarab Beetle Project – looking at the Art of Ancient Egypt and links between observational drawing, nature and taking these drawings into a range of media. Cross-curriculum links with Geog/RE investigating another country/culture. |
As above |
Spring - 2 |
Continuation and development of Scarab Egyptian project with emphasis on personal creative growth and refinement of technique |
As above |
Summer - 1 |
The Art of Illuminated Manuscript and lettering design work project Students will look illuminated manuscripts and also contemporary calligraphy artists such as Gemma Black alongside Book illustrators |
As above |
Summer - 2 |
Continuation and development of Illuminations Manuscript and Lettering Project |
As above |
Half term |
Topics studied; skills and knowledge |
How this will be assessed |
Autumn - 1 |
Indian Mehndi Art Project – looking at the art of Mehndi and links between observational drawing, nature and taking these drawings into interlocking patterns and motifs. Cross-curriculum links with Geog/RE investigating another country/culture. Pottery will also be included in this project. |
Through constantly reviewing sketchbook work including verbal feedback and half termly go4schools mark entry. Final marking of each termly project will include marking and summary of achievement in sketchbook also noted in Go4schools. The marks are based on creative development of project work overtime, not one-off pieces of work. |
Autumn - 2 |
Continuation and development of Mehndi project with emphasis on personal creative growth and refinement of technique. |
As above |
Spring - 1 |
Aboriginal Art Project – looking at Aboriginal Art and links between observational drawing nature and taking these drawings into interlocking patterns and motifs. Cross-curriculum links with Geog/RE investigating another country/culture. Pottery will also be included in this project. |
As above |
Spring - 2 |
Continuation and development of Aboriginal project with emphasis on personal creative growth and refinement of technique |
As above |
Summer - 1 |
Collections -The Art of Observational Drawing Project – Students will work on drawing objects, individually and collectively. Developing drawing, design and painting skills. Object collections will vary throughout the term. |
As above |
Summer - 2 |
Continuation and development of Collections Project Collections Art project with emphasis on personal creative growth and refinement of technique. |
As above |
Half term |
Topics studied; skills and knowledge |
How this will be assessed |
Autumn - 1 |
Day of the Dead Art Project – looking at the art of the Mexican Day of the Dead and links between observational drawings. Students will look at the observational drawing of skulls by Leonardo De Vinci and then take their own drawings of skulls into interlocking day of the dead patterns and motifs. Cross-curriculum links with Geog/RE investigating another country/culture. |
Through constantly reviewing sketchbook work including verbal feedback and half termly go4schools mark entry. Final marking of each termly project will include marking and summary of achievement in sketchbook also noted in Go4schools. The marks are based on creative development of project work overtime, not one-off pieces of work. |
Autumn - 2 |
Continuation and development of Day of the Dead project with emphasis on personal creative growth and refinement of technique |
As above |
Spring - 1 |
Eye Project – looking at how to depict the human and animal eye. This project is aimed at refining a broad range of art and mixed media skills and reinforcing core skills. Students will look at how a variety of artists have depicted the eye. |
As above |
Spring - 2 |
Continuation and development of Eye project with emphasis on personal creative growth and refinement of technique |
As above |
Summer - 1 |
Pop Art – Students will work directly from observation of Coke cans and bottles linking their work to work of Andy Warhol and others. |
As above |
Summer - 2 |
Continuation and development of POP Art project with emphasis on personal creative growth and refinement of technique |
As above |
1 termly project set on Go4schoools.
Visit museums and art galleries either local or national. Lions Yard and the Fitzwilliam Museum Cambridge are free to visit.
Watch skill-based videos on how to do art technics on YouTube
Encourage all forms of artistic creativity and discuss ideas with students.
Visit exhibitions with students
Students will have a sketchbook for most work and this should be brought to all lessons. Also, all students can purchase an art pack cost will vary. Please email art teachers directly if you have any concerns or questions, sheeks@melbournvc.org and sward@melbournvc.org
In GCSE Fine Art students are encouraged to become independent thinkers, creative artists and project planners. They are taught transferable skills, such as the ability to think creatively, produce refined skilled artwork, write analytically and evaluate effectively. They gain the ability to create their own artwork, reflect and refine their higher-level art skills, while becoming project managers of their own creative journey. Art GCSE allows students to become problem solvers, and artistic creatives. It empowers students to value their own ideas, creativity and judgement while understanding the need to work within given exam structures, this makes them ideal employees. A GCSE in Fine Art will enhance all areas of their future lives.
Year |
Half term |
Topics studied; skills and knowledge |
How this will be assessed |
10 |
Autumn - 1 |
Introduction to GCSE Fine Art Coursework in SketchbookArtist Research |
Teacher assessed, verbal feedback and go4schools through sketchbook review this will also include some peer to peer work |
Autumn - 2 |
Coursework in Sketchbook. Artist Research and Observation |
As above |
|
Spring - 1 |
Coursework in Sketchbook. Experimentation with media and compositional ideas |
As Above |
|
Spring - 2 |
Further sketchbook and compositional experimentation and analysis |
||
Summer - 1 |
Coursework in Sketchbook plus larger developmental work. Planning of year 10 exam piece |
Ongoing assessment |
|
Summer - 2 |
Coursework in Sketchbook. Development of compositional ideas cover all assessment objective with planning for year 10 exam piece |
Year 10 exam marked and standardised by Art department team marking |
|
11 |
Autumn - 1 |
Continuation of coursework |
Evaluated by teacher review of sketchbook development and larger pieces including planning |
Autumn - 2 |
Year 11 mock |
Marked and standardised through Art department team marking |
|
Spring - 1 |
2022 Continuation of coursework |
Teacher Assessed |
|
Spring - 2 |
2022 Continuation of coursework |
Teacher Assessed |
|
Summer - 1 |
2022 Continuation of coursework. Planning and developing of year 11 final composition |
Teacher Assessed |
|
Summer - 2 |
Period of Formal Examinations2021 All GCSE Fine Artwork is coursework based, future Exam structure for Fine Art GCSE has yet to be confirmed by exam board for the following year. |
Coursework marked internally, standardised through team marking. Moderated externally by exam moderators |
Two hours a weeks of sketchbook development work. This will be discussed individually with students. HW time allocation will be set on Go 4 Schools, but teachers will personalise work to encourage students to progress.
Students taking GCSE Fine Art at Melbourn Village College exhibited their work at The Hub in Melbourn this year. To give the amazing work a wider audience including proud parents and other relatives, the Art Department has turned the work into a virtual exhibition which is available to view below. (For best results, please click the four-arrow button to view in full screen mode)