Art and Design

Vision

The MVC vision for Art education is designed to promote the best habits of independent thought and learning in the pursuit of excellence. Engendering respect for individuality, difference and nurturing creative and spiritual richness. We aim to foster self-confidence, enthusiasm, perseverance and a passion to explore and value the creative.

Why we teach Art and Design

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.

Art Curriculum follows the National Curriculum recommendations:

Art and design programmes of study: key stage 3 National curriculum in England

Purpose of study of Art, craft and design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. A high-quality art and design education should engage, inspire and challenge students, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. As students progress, they should be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design. They should also know how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation.

Aims: The national curriculum for art and design aims to ensure that all studentss: 

• produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences
• become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques, evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design
• know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.

Attainment targets

By the end of key stage 3, students are expected to know, apply and understand the matters, skills and processes specified in the programme of study.

Art and Design Subject content Key stage 3

Students should be taught to develop their creativity and ideas and increase proficiency in their execution. They should develop a critical understanding of artists, architects and designers, expressing reasoned judgements that can inform their own work.

Students should be taught:

• to use a range of techniques to record their observations in sketchbooks, journals and other media as a basis for exploring their ideas
• to use a range of techniques and media, including painting
• to increase their proficiency in the handling of different materials
• to analyse and evaluate their own work, and that of others, in order to strengthen the visual impact or applications of their work
• to know about the history of art, craft, design and architecture, including periods, styles and major movements from ancient times up to the present day

KS3 Art

Overview of content

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 core skills, throughout the curriculum introducing new, different content while re-visiting and developing the same core skills aiming for increased technical complexity and sophisticated development of knowledge and understanding over time.

• Core Skill 1 Drawing skills (C1)

The key focus of the year is to increase confidence in drawing. Students will be learning the process of drawing including how to hold the pencil; how to use contour and tone to record shape accurately and how to build detail and texture in stages. They will also experience drawing with a range of materials and to both small and large scales.

• Core Skill 2 The Formal Elements (C2)

 Line, tone, perspective, proportion, pattern, texture, blending, composition etc. These skills are taught and consolidated over much of the year’s work. 

• Core Skill 3 Paint and Colour (C3)

Students will explore atmosphere, memory, emotion and feeling through mark making and colour mixing. They will develop a knowledge and understanding of different painting techniques and use of pastel, ink and pencil to express colour in a creative way.

• Core Skill 4 Knowledge and Understanding (C4)

Knowledge and understanding about the History of art, craft, design and architecture where relevant to project theme, including other cultures. Students should be able to make their own informed judgements and opinions based on the work of others.

Yr 7 Programme of Study

Half term	Topics studied; skills and knowledge	How this will be assessed
Autumn - 1	Baseline assessment – 2 weeks Drawing Workshops -3 weeks C1 Seashore Project to include higher level drawing of shells and pebbles. C1 Homework research Project on the book of Shells by the Japanese Artist Utamaro – 6 weeks going into the next half-term C1/C4/C3	. Baseline assessment, Van Gogh’ Sunflowers   The seashore Class/homework Assessed holistically.
Autumn - 2	Continuation and development of observational Seashore project
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 Geography/RE investigating another country/culture.    C1/C2/C3/C4	Ancient Egypt Class/homework Assessed holistically.
Spring - 2	Continuation and development of Scarab Egyptian project with emphasis on personal creative growth and refinement of technique C1/C2/C3/C4
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 C1/C2/C3/C4	Illuminated Lettering Class/homework Assessed holistically
Summer - 2	Continuation and development of Illuminations Manuscript and Lettering Project C1/C2/C3/C4 Recap of core skills learnt to embed learning.

Yr 8 Programme of Study

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 Geography/RE investigating another country/culture. Pottery will also be included in this project. C1/C2/C3/C4 Review of year 7 skills based with emphasis in retention of knowledge and technical skill leading to further advancement throughout Year 8 project work.	Mehndi The seashore Class/homework Assessed holistically.
Autumn - 2	Continuation and development of Mehndi project with emphasis on personal creative growth and refinement of technique. C1/C2/C3/C4 skill development
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 Geography/RE investigating another country/culture. Review of C1/C2/C3/C4 skills from year 7 leading to enhanced learning and technical understanding.	Aboriginal art Class/homework Assessed holistically.
Spring - 2	Continuation and development of Aboriginal project with emphasis on personal creative growth and refinement of technique Development of C1/C2/C3/C4 skills from year 7 leading to enhanced learning and technical understanding.
Summer - 1	Architecture Part Tiffany Decorative Arts Windows This will include Architecture in the form of Tiffany Glass windows. This will focus on how architecture incorporates the decorative arts, colour and natural form. C1/C2/C3/C4 further development with more complexity than year 7 Impact	Architecture Class/homework Assessed holistically.
Summer - 2	Architecture Part 2 Gaudi - Architecture project will have an emphasis on personal creative growth and refinement of technique. Focus on the developing understanding of Architecture and how buildings have creative and cultural impact. Further Development of C1/C2/C3/C4 skills leading to enhanced learning and technical understanding

Yr 9 Programme of Study

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 Geography/RE investigating another country/culture.  Review of C1/C2/C3/C4 skills from year 8 leading to enhanced learning and technical understanding.	Day of the Dead Class/homework Assessed holistically.
Autumn - 2	Continuation and development of Day of the Dead project with emphasis on personal creative growth and refinement of technique C1/C2/C3/C4 Higher level skills
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. C1/C2/C3/C4 higher level skills	The study of eyes Class/homework Assessed holistically.
Spring - 2	Continuation and development of Eye project with emphasis on personal creative growth and refinement of technique C1/C2/C3/C4 higher level development
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. C1/C2/C3/C4 higher level development	Pop Art Class/homework Assessed holistically
Summer - 2	Continuation and development of POP Art project with emphasis on personal creative growth and refinement of technique C1/C2/C3/C4 higher level development

Homework

1 termly project set on Go4schoools.

Learning outside the classroom

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

Parental support and extension

Encourage all forms of artistic creativity and discuss ideas with students.

Visit exhibitions with students

More information

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,

Mrs S Heeks, Lead in Art: sheeks@melbournvc.org 

Mrs S Ward, Art Teacher: sward@melbournvc.org 

KS4 Art 

Eduqas GCSE Fine Art (C651QS)

Overview of content

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.

Programme of Study

Year	Half term	Topics studied; skills and knowledge	How this will be assessed
10	Autumn - 1	Introduction to GCSE Fine Art Coursework Thematic Project work: This will change depending on feedback from Exam Board and National trends in Art and Design to ensure students have advanced opportunities to develop GCSE conceptual thinking and techniques. Selection of theme. Students select an artist to Research linked to their theme and guided by teacher.	Wonders of Nature/Face of Humanity/Constructed Class/homework Assessed holistically. Feedback given continuously
	Autumn - 2	Coursework in Sketchbook. Artist Research and Observation
	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	Mock Exam outcome assessment objective 4 (AO4) Portfolio component 1 yr10 grade given and predicted grade.
	Summer - 2	Coursework in Sketchbook Development of compositional ideas cover all assessment objective with planning for year 10 exam piece
11	Autumn - 1	Continuation of coursework	Continuation of component 1. Exam mock preparation.   Mock Exam outcome assessment objective 4 (AO4) Portfolio component 1 yr11 grade given and predicted grade altered if relevant.
	Autumn - 2	Year 11 mock
	Spring - 1	Jan – Start of externally set assignment prep work	Externally set assignment, component 2 (40%) Preparation
	Spring - 2	As above
	Summer - 1	11 final composition exams for externally set assignment	Externally set exam.
	Summer - 2	Period of Formal Examinations

Homework

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.

More information

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 teachers directly if you have any concerns or questions:

Mrs S Heeks, Lead in Art: sheeks@melbournvc.org

Mrs S Ward, Art Teacher: sward@melbournvc.org

GCSE Virtual Art Exhibition

Students taking GCSE Fine Art at Melbourn Village College exhibit their work at an exhibition each 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)  If you have difficulty viewing the virtual exhibition, you can download a print out here.

The previous years virtual art exhibitions are also available to view below.

Everybody is somebody