Art
Department Ethos
At Cams Hill we believe passionately about the universal human need for visual communication. Central to this is our commitment to provide an environment in which pupils will develop aesthetic and evaluative skills: the ability to express themselves artistically. Pupils will be introduced to a variety of media, techniques and critical studies that develop, challenge, enhance and contribute to creative thinking, problem solving and individual expression.
Art is an adventure into an unknown world, which can be explored only by those willing to take risks. Mark Rothko
Learn more about Art at Key Stage 3
In Years 7, 8 & 9 pupils receive 2 x one-hour lessons per fortnight of Art & Design. Our Key Stage 3 curriculum has been designed by members of the department, and it meets the requirements of the new 2014 National Curriculum. Art & Design in Years 7 – 9 is taught in a way that is both accessible and challenging by focussing upon pupils mastering The Formal Elements which are the key components used to make a piece of artwork. (These are line, shape, form, tone, texture, pattern and colour). We review and develop the curriculum regularly, ensuring that pupils are given every opportunity to deepen their understanding and broaden their range of skills in order to prepare them for the Key Stage 4 GCSE courses.
As a practical subject, pupils have access to work shirts during painting and ‘messy’ lessons as directed by the teacher. We ask for a voluntary contribution of £5 per pupil in each year towards the cost of sketchbooks and materials.
In addition to our programme of study, we offer enrichment extra-curricular activities in Art Club for Key Stage 3 pupils.
Programme of Study for Key Stage 3
| Year 7 | |
| Unit 1 | Formal elements |
| Unit 2 | Pop Art and Everyday Objects |
| Unit 3 | The Built Environment |
| Year 8 | |
| Unit 1 | Portraiture |
| Unit 2 | Sealife Project |
| Year 9 | |
| Unit 1 | Introduction to GCSE (Including taster sessions in Photography, 3D Design, Graphics & Fine Art) |
| Unit 2 | Food and Drink (Pop Art) |
| Unit 3 | Birds |
Learn more about Art at Key Stage 4
At Key Stage 4 pupils receive 5 x one hour Art, Craft & Design lessons per fortnight. Key Stage 4 pupils are offered extra-curricular Art & Design sessions throughout the week, and we also seek to enrich the curriculum through taking pupils on visits to post-16 providers and art galleries and spaces. We currently offer the following three endorsements under the AQA specification:
GCSE Art, Craft & Design provides pupils with a wide range of creative, exciting and stimulating opportunities to explore their interests in ways that are both personally relevant and developmental in nature. It is a strong foundation for further progression to Art & Design related courses such as A-level Art & Design and enhanced vocational and career pathways.
GCSE Graphics Communication is a specialist course which is designed to develop pupil’s skills in graphic communication, which involves the creation and combination of visuals and text to convey messages, ideas, or concepts. This can include advertisement design, book illustrations, posters, and more. As with the Art, Craft & Design course, Graphics Communication is a strong foundation for further progression to Art & Design related courses at further education.
GCSE Photography continues to be one of our most popular and hugely successful courses within the Art department. Pupils are introduced to many aspects of Photography, but the course is predominantly digital. Pupils studying GCSE Photography have access to a bank of 23 laptops with the latest Adobe Photoshop software. We also have a fully equipped Photography studio enabling pupils to experiment and develop their skills in Photography further.
As a practical subject, pupils are expected to wear work shirts during painting and ‘messy’ lessons as directed by the teacher. We ask for a contribution of £10 per pupil in each year towards the cost of sketchbooks and materials.
Key Stage 4 pupils are provided with a sketchbooks and folders for each project and the exam, which is funded through the pupil contributions.
GCSE details
We follow the AQA full course GCSE syllabus. You can find a link to that here http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/art-and-design/gcse/art-and-design-8201-8206
Programme of Study for Key Stage 4
Year 10
Pupils work on their Unit 1 – Portfolio of work. They complete two projects. Topics for these projects change annually and have included Habitats, Organic/Mechanic, Portraits, Japanese Animals, Coastal Environments, Science in Art, Fantastic and Strange, Pattern for Print, The Built Environment, Messages, Portraiture.
Year 11
Continuation of portfolio of work.
January onwards pupils begin their Unit 2 exam preparation.
Extra-curricular opportunities
We offer a range of enrichment activities to engage pupils’ interest and help them to develop their practical skills, including:
- Lower school Art Club – Years 7-9 – Wednesday 15.00-16.00
- School production Prop club – By invitation Monday 15.00-16.00
- KS4 Portfolio Catch-Up Sessions – Year 10 and 11 – Thursday (or by arrangement with curriculum leader) 15.00-16.00 (speak to your teacher for more info and 18.00 finishes.)
We also run a series of field trips and photography walks to relevant places of interest to link with the Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 curriculum. These have included:
- Southampton City Art Gallery – Year 7
- Strong Island Photography Walkshop – Year 10
- Natural History Museum, London – Year 10
- V & A, London – Year 10
- Saatchi Gallery, London – Year 10
- The National Portrait Gallery, London – Year 10
- Pitt Rivers and Natural History Museum, Oxford – Year 10
- Harry Potter Studios – Year 11
- Barcelona Residential – Year 10