Art

The art curriculum is based on the national curriculum for art and design and aims to ensure that all pupils:

• 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

Our pupils achieve high levels in this area of the curriculum because it is heavily focused upon the child as an individual. Pupils are given the freedom to make choices that enable them to develop their creative thinking, problem solving, making and evaluation skills.

Art encourages our students to understand and visually communicate their thoughts, feelings, and ideas. We put great emphasis on developing learners drawing skills.  Pupils learn to draw from direct observation, imagination, and perception.  Throughout KS3 pupils build upon acquired skills to explore, experiment and develop ideas effectively with increased accuracy.  Pupils engage with a range of artists, craftspeople, and designers from different cultures to make connections with their own work.  Regular extended homework tasks are given to develop independent learning skills and to allow pupils to experience pride in their achievements along a journey of improvement.

Our curriculum covers:

Art is on the curriculum of study at the MHS during KS3 and then is an option for GCSE.

Year 7

• Natural Forms

Year 8

• Portrait

Year 9

• Pop Art

KS4 – GCSE Art – AQA Exam Board (Option Choice)

Art & Design is a successful subject within the school. Our results evidence the support and excellent KS3 provision offered by the school coupled with excellent specialist teaching.

Pupils will be offered:

Unit 1 (30%) (First coursework project Year 10)

Unit 2 (30%) (Second coursework project Year 11)

Externally Set Task (40%) An individual choice of starting question for the Exam

The Art Department has chosen this route because of the sheer diversity it offers our pupils for their final unit of work – the Externally Set Task which is worth 40% of their final mark. For this the AQA offers a choice of 7 starting points for every pupil which allows a highly individual response.

Timetabling

KS3 - 1 hour and 40 minute lesson, per week for approx. 12 weeks of the year – in rotation with Drama and Computer Science

KS4 - 1 double lesson (1 hour and 40 minutes) and 1 single lesson (50 minutes) per week

Extra-curricular opportunities

As a creative subject, we aim to broaden and enhance learner’s holistic development through exposure to a wide range of art styles, genres and mediums. Cultural capital is in abundance through the rich extra-curricular opportunities that are offered through Art for learners to further develop their skills. Learners are offered the opportunity to attend workshops and take part in rips to art exhibitions in Leicester and beyond.  We feel that it is these experiences that not only enthuse and excite learners to study Art, but provide a platform for our learners to learn the qualities they need to flourish -  leadership, social skills, independent thinking, self-peer reflection, team work and respect.

Collaboration with the Music and Drama departments take place throughout the year, showcasing pupils in all disciplines and all year groups working together, a highlight being our annual musical production.  Past performances have included ‘Oliver’, ‘Grease’, ‘Bugsy Malone’, ‘Fame’, ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ and most recently, ‘The Wizard of Oz’.