Art and Design
SUBJECT OVERVIEW
Redhill School’s art department is a vibrant area that is renowned for it’s quality and diversity. We explore a wide variety of disciplines including traditional and modern aspects of art, such as painting, drawing, sculpture photography and digitally manipulated images.
We teach a range of skills and techniques in years 7, 8 & 9 as a foundation to pupils working more independently and to their strengths at GCSE. Projects are tailored to introduce and build upon skills. At GCSE pupils will work on two main projects, the first, completed in year 10 explores different materials and techniques. The second project, started in year 10 and carried into year 11 allows for more freedom of choice, encouraging pupils to develop independently and creatively. This work is then selected to form a portfolio which is 60% of their final grade.
Pupils studying art at Redhill School produce some outstanding work and find their studies enjoyable, stimulating and very rewarding.
We offer superb, purpose built Art facilities and an integrated computer suit which has 19 work stations. Within each of the rooms there is ample design space to get creative, as well as specialist break out areas for those students wanting to turn their 2D work into 3D masterpieces.
INTENT
The curriculum is designed to enable students to experience and develop the skills and knowledge needed to explore their own creativity through a wide range of different art forms. The curriculum teaches students the skills needed to analyse work by artists, craftspeople and designers, allowing them to develop an insightful understanding of the cultural context, technical skills and principles of a wider range of art movements. We teach that art is not just in a gallery but in the wider community, in design, in craft, for purpose and for pleasure and often has a message or statement to make.
We aim to develop and build technical knowledge and skill over time. Units of work develop in complexity, building on prior learning as they progress. This allows students to establish strong fundamental Art, Craft & Design principles that will allow them to be successful up to and beyond the Redhill curriculum.
We explore subject specific language and develop key vocabulary and terminology to allow critical thinking and equip students with the verbal tools needed to articulate themselves fluently when exploring ideas and concepts.
The curriculum aims to allow all students to become confident and strong practitioners in a variety of Art, Craft & Design techniques. This will then allow students to explore and record their own ideas and experiences, developing a personal response to a specific stimulus or starting point. Revisiting these key concepts throughout the 5 years increases their proficiency in the handling of different materials, teaches students to develop their creativity and ideas, and increases their ability. We have designed the learning to be progressive in breadth and depth in both knowledge and skill, building understanding, confidence and proficiency over time.
Our intent has been to deliver a high-quality Art, Craft & Design education that will engage, inspire and challenge all our learners. This in turn will equip them with the knowledge and skills to experiment and create their own works of Art, Craft & Design.
WIDER SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES
Throughout the Art, Craft & Design curriculum students are taught to evaluate and analyse creative works using the key language, vocabulary and terminology of Art, Craft & Design. They are exposed to a wide range of artists, craft makers and designers, and through a thematic approach to learning they develop understanding of historical, cultural, and social relevance.
The themes and topics that run throughout the Art, Craft & Design curriculum develop student’s historical appreciation of Art, Craft & Design including periods, styles, cultures and movements from many eras and influences. We also look at environmental impact and how messages are conveyed through art.
Our curriculum endeavours to make art history relevant to context and builds knowledge and understanding of different forms of Art, Craft & Design that will allow them to achieve, both academically and socially, equipping them for a culturally diverse world. They learn that art and photography is not just in a gallery but in the wider community, in design, in craft, for purpose and for pleasure and often has a message or statement to make.
