HARLINGTON UPPER SCHOOL

The Year 9 course at Harlington is the final year of Art education at Key Stage Three. The course builds upon the student’s earlier experiences, skills and abilities and we work closely with Middle Schools to build on prior experiences. Every student is encouraged to maintain a sketchbook which is an essential part of their final assessment. Throughout the course the students are given a variety of opportunities to experiment and explore a range of materials and processes in Art. Homework tasks are set regularly and encourage the students to develop and consolidate their research and independent learning skills.

Learners will use Natural Forms as a source of inspiration for their own work. Over the course of this scheme they will be expected to: Be able to work from first-hand observation of a wide range of natural objects. To be able to explore a range of different materials in order to develop their skills and understanding. To be able to make purposeful images in order to generate ideas and to present their sketchbook work with care and purpose. To research and understand the work of others and to reflect upon this work in order to come up with ideas of their own. To be able to study examples of the different artefacts from both given resources and their own investigations. To develop, modify and refine their ideas for an outcome based on natural forms and to use a range of techniques and processes in order to create it.

Year 9 students will be assessed at the beginning of the school year with a baseline test. This will consist of a timed test of the students’ ability to draw from observation whilst using pencil. Throughout the year students will be given feedback and assessment grades are given after each assessment criteria has been met (approximately every 6-8weeks)

The course you will be following is designed to develop your own practical skills and ability.  It will help you to understand and to gain knowledge of how ideas, meanings and feelings are put across in Art.  We look at how these ideas relate to the lives of artists and to your own experiences.  Students studying Art at the GCSE level need to be ‘practitioners and critics’ (you need to be a ‘thinker’ about art and a ‘maker’ of art at the same time).

The course is taught through a number of projects over the two years. The projects are based on interesting themes and we encourage you to explore the themes in depth. To help you develop your ideas you will experience a variety of ways of working, discover new techniques and find out how to use many different materials. You will be helped to explore how artists, designers and craftspeople have developed their own ideas and you will be able to try these in your own work.

You will be shown how to draw from observation to build skills and confidence in manipulating the formal elements. Your sketchbook will be an important record of your ideas over the two years - it forms an important part of your final assessment.  Homework assignments will be directly related to your coursework.

The course is intended to follow on from your experiences at Key Stages 1, 2 and 3. It is designed to meet the needs of the following students:

• Students who will undertake further studies in Art and Design post-16.

• Students who will study subjects or take up careers for which an Art or Design background is relevant.

• Students who have an interest and aptitude in the subject.

This is a two-year course that leads to ‘A’ Level and aims to develop the student’s understanding of the nature of visual thinking and their use of visual language. The students explore and develop the capacity for creative thought and process whereby they become confident and able to innovate, initiate and produce effective personal responses, alongside developing a critical awareness of the subject.

In year one;

Students are to complete a coursework based module which is centred on a set theme. The module is split into two components which will allow students to really develop their skills and to establish themselves as artists. Throughout this module the students will develop their sketchbook investigations with a strong emphasis on drawing skills, experimentation and research into linked artists, towards developing into two final pieces.

In year two;

Students are to complete a coursework based module which is centred on a chosen theme. The module allows students to develop an individual portfolio of work and advance their critical awareness of the subject in a form of a short essay.

The ‘Externally set assignment’ is set by the exam board and is completed under exam conditions at the end of the Year. Students will develop a body of preparation studies and complete the final piece under a 15 hour controlled assessment under exam conditions.

Learning strategies

Students will be supported by two members of staff of which one will be of constant support for students, known as their lead teacher. Both members of staff will support each student in following the course and provide instruction and guidance throughout. The department operates an open access policy for post 16 students where they can freely use the art studios during their study periods, with an allocated room for sixth form students only. Field study is promoted, along with visits to Art galleries and exhibitions during the course. Students are expected to meet the coursework requirements at each stage and are strongly encouraged to develop a personal style of practice.