‘Drawing is still basically the same as it has been since prehistoric times. It brings together man and the world. It lives through magic’ Keith Haring

‘I found I could say things with colour and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way…. things I had no words for.’ Georgia O’Keeffe

‘I try to apply colours like words that shape poems, like notes that shape music.’ Joan Miro

Those who look for the laws of Nature as a support for their new works collaborate with the creator.’ Antoni Gaudi

Art and Design nurtures and develops the abilities in every person to be creative, to have an enquiring mind, to generate ideas and to feel confidence and pride in their achievements. It is our aim that all students experience the learning of skills and knowledge, which benefits their growth as an individual. They are encouraged to take responsibility, work with others, value everyone’s contributions and achievements and show commitment to self-improvement.

We also encourage students to recognise their own areas of strength and then explore and express their own interests through the art they produce.

The creative thinker is an effective and important member of a team, contributor in the workplace, or the wider society.

Take risks, experiment, think ‘outside the box’, be a leader of ideas, propose solutions, communicate to different people or audiences, be adaptable, view life from a range of perspectives, change the world!

YEAR 7

Term 1: An exciting introduction to a range of drawing and painting skills.

Term 2: Surface Pattern Design – Looking at artists/designers such as William Morris, and Charles Rennie-Mackintosh

Term 3: Mixed Media wall hanging – Group work developing a theme-based approach influenced by Art from another culture.

YEAR 8

Term 1: Composing with colour.

Term 2: Printmaking project.

Term 3: Drawing and illustrating ‘people’

YEAR 9

Term 1: Still-life painting

Term 2: Ceramic project

Term 3: ‘Developing your individual style’

The GCSE course in Art and Design involves the creation of a broad based portfolio of different skills and knowledge. Students are encouraged to become independent decision makers who are able to recognise and work to their own areas of strength.

A range of work in the portfolio might include skills from the following; Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Mixed Media work, Graphic Design, Textiles, Photography, Use of ICT, Ceramics or other 3D work. There are studies of relevant existing Art, Craft or Design work too, this helps students to understand and appreciate the ideas and working methods of others as possible inspiration in their own development.

The BTEC Extended First Certificate in Art and Design is a course which is relevant to the working practice of Artists, Crafts Practitioners and Designers. Students are learning through work-related design briefs, which have a specific range of tasks with deadlines. The assessment award can be Pass, Merit or Distinction. Students enjoy responding to design briefs and some of the work is for genuine clients.

All our KS4 students have an End of Year Show in July for family, friends, school community and even clients!

At Post-16 our students are able to opt for A Levels in Art and Design. There are two choices currently – Fine Art and Photography. Both these courses are about specialising; building on practical skills whilst gaining knowledge and an understanding of the subject in greater depth. In Year 12, 50% of the AS qualification is coursework, which explores various themes and techniques, and the other 50% is an Externally Set Assignment. In Year 13 students produce a Personal Investigation for 50 % of the qualification, which is about a relevant theme of their choice. The remaining 50% is an Externally Set Assignment, comprising research and preparation followed by 15 hours of unaided work which demonstrates the student’s creativity and independence.

Extra curricular opportunities in Art and Design are often on offer, there are after school sessions for GCSE or A Level students, lunchtime arrangements for students in any year group. Specially organised workshops such as costume designing and making for school productions, felt-making, specialist printmaking techniques. Also from time to time, additional workshops organised by the Museums and Galleries Service are available at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery.

We are keen on encouraging students to look across the curriculum and make connections with other subjects. This occurs in some class projects but also in some extra activities from time to time. We have recently worked in collaboration with Science, Geography/Geology and Drama, and on class projects involving themes linking to RE, Spanish and History.

Our students are encouraged to enter their work for competitions and exhibitions. We have had successes with work on show at Education Bradford at Future House, Cartwright Hall Young Open, The Yorkshire Craft Centre at Bradford College, the ‘Good Start’ exhibition at Cliffe Castle Museum and Gallery in Keighley.

Many students continue their art education by progressing to a one year pre-degree Foundation Course in Art and Design. Others progress directly on to a BTEC Level 2 or 3 course or a Degree in an Art and Design area such as Fine Art, Textile Design, Architecture, Fashion Design, Photography, Graphic Design, Community Arts etc.

Sometimes our past students return and talk about their progression routes and achievements.