Subject Overview
St. Francis’ College Art Department encourages the individual creative development and excellence of every student. We nurture the growth of developing minds by providing opportunities to explore, invent, express, dream, reflect and communicate in a stimulating environment that fosters divergent and critical thinking and celebrates equity and diversity.
We teach the foundation skills of art such as drawing in its widest sense, through the exploration of materials, and a variety of practices. Contextual and theoretical studies are seeded and introduced through practical exploration.
We have two devoted art studios, a kiln, sewing machines, printing press, a fully equipped darkroom and studio lighting for photography along with two ICT classrooms equipped with Photoshop elements.
Through the provisions of self-expression, we aim to encourage risk, questioning, develop self-reflection and teach the skills to practically solve problems. These are all highly proficient skills that are transferrable and help to raise standards in all subject areas in the curriculum.
Currently we provide multidisciplinary initiatives through a variety of arts experiences in formal and informal learning contexts, through the curriculum, external and internal enrichment opportunities.
Our Annual Recycled Fashion Show is a visual celebration of our excellence; and this highly anticipated event also raises substantial funds for our charity the Kanyike Project, Uganda.
Through the development of visual literacy, our students are prepared to analyse and interpret their visual world. Above all, it is through the arts that we ask questions, ponder unsolved problems, take risks, and seek to understand human experiences both past and present.
Programme of Study
Through an exploration of a variety of disciplines students will gain a solid foundation for their creative endeavours and will be nurtured through observational drawing, printmaking, painting, ceramics, craft and textiles, illustration, mixed-media, three-dimensional construction, and contextual studies.
Key Stage 3:
Year 7
- Recycled Fashion Show
- Drawing
- Printmaking – etching
- Textiles
- Ceramics
- Multiple Choice sessions
Year 8
- Recycled Fashion Show
- Drawing & Photography
- Printmaking – lino
- Textiles
- Ceramics
- Multiple Choice sessions
Year 9
- Recycled Fashion Show
- Drawing & Photography
- Printmaking & Photography
- Textiles
- Ceramics
- Multiple Choice sessions / GCSE preparation
Key Stage 4:
GCSE Art & Design
Examination Board: AQA
Students will begin experimenting with materials, delve into contextual studies and embark on a series of self-investigative study relating to a chosen theme/title. Workshop based sessions will punctuate the projects to build on, and support to develop technical skills. The department team are dedicated professionals who have expert knowledge, industry experience and champion the arts.
The aims of this qualification are to enable students to develop:
- Problem solving skills.
- Creative and analytical thinking
- Independent investigative and research skills
- Visual communication and teamwork skills
- The ability to develop, refine and present ideas.
- Develop practical and refined skills to answer a brief.
- Self-reflection
A Level Art
Examination Board: AQA
To develop work based on an idea, issue, concept, or theme leading to a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes. Practical elements should make connections with some aspect of contemporary or past practice of artist(s), designer(s), photographers, or craftspeople and include written work 1000 – 3000 words, which underpins and supports the practical work.
To draw together the knowledge, understanding and skills learned. To select and present work which demonstrates strengths across the areas of knowledge and the range of skills described and demonstrate ability to sustain independent lines of enquiry.
To bring together and make connections between the areas of knowledge, the work of artist(s), and the range of skills described and learned throughout the course and applying this by responding to one or more of:
1. A stimulus or issue
2. A design brief or problem
3. A task, which specifies an image, object, or other outcome to be achieved.
All investigations should be a coherent, in-depth study that demonstrates ability to construct and develop a sustained line of reasoning from an initial starting point to a final realisation.
Sketchbooks/workbooks/journals must underpin the work where appropriate. To evidence all research, develop ideas and link work in a meaningful way to related critical/contextual materials.
The aims of this qualification are to enable students to develop:
- Problem solving skills.
- Creative and analytical thinking with a deep academic underpinning.
- Independent investigative and academic research skills.
- Visual communication and articulacy.
- The ability to develop, critique work, refine and present ideas with meaning and purpose.
- Develop practical and refined skills to answer a brief.
- Self-reflection
