Overview

At Key Stage 3, students are taught in form groups in Year 7, followed by smaller mixed groups in Years 8 and 9. Teaching is structured around a clear sequence of learning that develops students’ ability to produce creative and confident outcomes.

Students explore the world around them through the study of artists, craftspeople and designers. They learn to draw and record from observation before applying a range of taught media techniques to produce their own work. Observational drawing is a core skill and is revisited several times each year to build accuracy, skill and confidence.

Throughout Key Stage 3, students work with a wide variety of media, including drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, batik and block printing. They use study sheets in lessons and maintain sketchbooks to support independent learning at home. Homework activities are structured and closely linked to current class projects.

Projects are designed around a range of cultures, artists and techniques and are carefully sequenced to develop technical skill, creativity, ideas and confidence over time.

At GCSE, students follow a clear sequence of learning that builds on their Key Stage 3 experience and develops their ability to produce confident, independent creative outcomes.

Students explore the world around them through the study of artists, craftspeople and designers. They draw and record from observation before applying a range of taught media techniques to develop their own personal outcomes. Observational drawing remains a core focus and is revisited regularly throughout Key Stage 4 to strengthen skill, accuracy and visual understanding.

Students work in a wide range of media, including drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, batik, felt, intaglio etching, screen printing and block printing. Practical work is produced in lessons, supported by sketchbooks that enable independent learning at home through structured homework tasks linked directly to current components.

Components are based around a variety of cultures, artists and techniques and include opportunities to visit major UK galleries during Year 10, including visits to London to explore the V&A and Tate Modern, and to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. All projects are carefully designed to develop confidence, creativity, technical skill and personal ideas.

Year 7

  • Term 1 – Fine art
  • Term 2-4 – Cultural masks (designing)
  • Term 5 – illustration project (designing)
  • Term 6 – illustration project (making)

Year 8

  • Term 1 – decorative pattern designing, Batik workshops
  • Term 3 – Repeat pattern designing from mechanical objects- Lino cutting and printing
  • Term 5 – identity- A project about who you are and what makes you individual

Year 9

  • Terms 1- 3 – messages and meanings project
  • Terms 4 -6 – people and places project

Year 10

  • Terms 1 & 2 – media workshops
  • Terms 3 & 4 – theme project, London gallery visit
  • Terms 5 & 6 – Yorkshire Sculpture Park project and visit

Year 11

  • Term 1 – Yorkshire Sculpture Park project
  • Term 2 – mock exam
  • Term 3 – exam
  • Terms 4 & 5 – exam and exhibition deadline

Exam board

AQA

Specification

Assessment Structure

GCSE Art and Design consists of two assessed components:

  • Component 1: Portfolio of Work
    A sustained portfolio demonstrating the four assessment objectives, worth 60 percent of the final qualification.

  • Component 2: Externally Set Assignment
    A 10-week preparatory period followed by a 10-hour practical examination, worth 40 percent of the final qualification.

Years 12-13

We offer this subject at at Key Stage 5. Click here to find out more.