Art & Photography

Sandbach High School

Curriculum Intentions

Our Vision;

The Art Department at Sandbach High School & Sixth Form College aims to give everyone a chance to achieve. We strive to be at the forefront of artistic development within education and create regular opportunities to celebrate the creativity of our students.

The Art department comprises of a skilled staff whose aims are:

To stimulate and/or maintain student curiosity, interest and enjoyment in Art
To enable students to be familiar with a body of artistic knowledge, skills, principles and vocabulary, e.g. students should become competent and confident in:
- Producing images- and 'works of art'
- Responding to works produced by others, and to features of the natural and man-made environment, with reasoned arguments

To enable students to perceive Art as:
- a major cultural feature
- part of a wider body of knowledge and skills, e.g. to be able to work both
- Independently and co-operatively

To employ teaching methods and resources that allows all groups of students to have equal access to Art and to experience success and enjoyment in their work.
To develop an awareness in students of the significance of Art and to value it as an important, pleasurable and fundamental realm of human experience.

Curriculum Lead

Mr David Valentine: dvalentine@sandbachhigh.co.uk

Key Stage 3

Our programme is designed to contribute, support and compliment the aims and aspirations of the school. We aim to develop in young people the sense of fulfilment, fun, pride and satisfaction in producing works of art.

Art is personally enriching as well as collectively stimulating and a range of teaching styles are used to develop both creativity and practical/technical skills. The curriculum is taught by specialist teachers of Art, Photography, Craft & Design. The programme is structured to allow for continuity, depth, differentiation and progression in learning. Pupils will be able to make progress and improve their personal performance in key skills and standards across the National Curriculum.

Teaching students about how to appreciate Art as a cultural, social, political vehicle and understand how to implement and express their own beliefs during the creative process.
Develop aesthetic awareness and appreciation of the subject as a visual language
To encourage diversity, equality, acceptance, appreciation, collaboration and personal development
To create a linear experience which develops a student holistically from early formative years through to early adulthood.
Well planned SOW and projects which include a range of skills (both practical and academic) linked to a range of culturally and socially topical issues and relevant concepts.
Talented teachers with their own skills set utilised to share their own practice and Artistic beliefs and values
A range of extra-curricular activities, residential trips and foreign visits designed to expose students to the wider Art world and culturally important Art forms.
Excellent results form the basis for data based impact showing progress from KS3-KS5.
Aesthetic awareness and technical skill is clearly the visual impact
Students going on to University to study the creative subjects along with those who develop a career in the creative industries.
The development of transferrable skills such as problem solving, empathy, cultural and social awareness, leadership, time management and general confidence.

The programme has been designed and tailored to meet the growing needs of our pupils and individual learners, provide compelling learning experiences and contribute towards fostering a lifelong appreciation and passion for art.

Key Stage 3 - YEAR 7

2 x Lessons per fortnight

Taught in mixed ability form groups

Autumn Term: Artists Tool Kit / (Drawing Techniques and Colour Theory).

Students will be introduced to contemporary craft-based artist Claire Youngs whilst looking into the inspiration of folklore and folk Art. Students will practice and explore traditional and contemporary drawing techniques whilst developing a greater understanding of the impact and power of colour and pattern.

Spring Term: 3D modelling

Developing on from 2 dimensional experiments and designs from the autumn term, students will explore and learn about how to translate shapes into forms in order to develop proficiency in 3-dimensional manipulation. Students will develop ideas based on responses to the theme of migration and will produce independent outcomes based on their own designs.

Summer Term: Narrative painting

Inspired by the work of contemporary painter Melinda Hackett, students will explore the Artists’ use of pattern, line, shape, and colour with references to the natural world and historical cultural traditions such as Mendhi and Henna. Students will be introduced to a variety of acrylic paint techniques such as layering, blending and texturising.

YEAR 8

3 X lessons per fortnight

Taught in mixed ability form groups

Autumn Term: Observational Drawing

Extending knowledge and proficiency of key drawing techniques and processes taught in year 7 using pencil and fine line pen. Students will develop a greater understanding of the importance of the quality of line when building an image.

Spring Term: Clay Pots

Students will explore the History of ceramics referencing as far back as Neanderthalic man covering elements of cultural traditions, function, and form.

Students will then research and respond to the Ancient Egyptian tradition of Canopic jars before designing and making their own personal outcomes using traditional coiling processes and surface manipulation.

Summer Term: Printmaking

Based on theme of identity, students will research a range of portraiture Artists in history from the late Renaissance to modern day before exploring key printmaking processes such as etching and collagraph. Students will then make a personal response using reduction print techniques.

YEAR 9

2 X lessons per fortnight

Taught in mixed ability form groups

Autumn/Spring Term: Bundles

In this project, students will respond to a range of visual and contextual stimuli as they begin to explore the world around them. After researching a range of traditional and contemporary still life Artists, students will explore notions of symbolism and narrative within still life painting and sculpture before designing and assembling their ‘bundles’ from which they will later paint from. Photography and digital manipulation will also form part of the way students record and develop their ideas.

Spring/Summer Term: Summer Term: Poetry Dresses

Continuing from themes explored in the previous project, students will learn about the importance of Art as narrative device and will be linked to more traditional and historical forms of storytelling. Students will learn about ancient and medieval illuminated manuscripts and more contemporary forms of illustrated poetry before designing and making their ‘poetry dress’ inspired by the work of sculptor Lesley Dill.

Key Stage 4

Pupils who opt for GCSE Fine Art or Photography follow the AQA syllabus, which develops drawing, painting, printing, sculpture and mixed media forms building on the knowledge and skills introduced in Key Stage 3.

Pupils receive 5 lessons per fortnight and are taught in mixed ability option groups. The (5-9) pass rate remains very high year on year and the number of pupils opting for GCSE Fine Art demonstrates the popularity of the course.

Year 10 Fine Art

Observation & Abstraction

Sustained observational drawing, mixed media techniques and photography developing into large scale mixed media/ relief paintings. Students will refer to the work of Abstract painters such as Richard Diebenkorn and John Renshaw before experimenting with colour, composition, shape, line and texture. Ideas will be recorded using drawing, photography and annotation and developed through one-to-one support and tuition. Outcomes will be based on the accumulation of knowledge gained throughout the project and will be a personal and independent response to the theme.

What we leave behind

In this project, students will develop an understanding of the theme through sustained investigations and experimentation. Students will explore conceptual elements based on topical and cultural themes and make links to no less than 3 Artists including 15 Century Vanitas painters such as Pieter Clausz and Willem Kalf and contemporary sculptors and mixed media artists such as Joseph Beuys and Anselm Kiefer. Outcomes will explore 3 dimensional techniques and processes and again will be the result of

Year 10 Photography

Window Worlds

In this introductory project students will develop foundation skills in Photography and photographic processes/ Students will circulate in groups on technical rotations which will introduce them to dark room techniques such as photograms, use of acetates for image creation and using wet materials/processes. Distorted portraits will encourage the use of long exposures whilst aperture and ISO will be linked to the depth of field within the subject of still life

Daily Life/Routine

The students will begin to explore the world around them in this concept driven unit where choices will be more independent and outcomes more personal. Students will be introduced to photographers and artists such as Jean Noviel and Brian Hubble who will inspire the use of a range of materials and processes (both hand manipulation and digital). Students will become proficient in the use of photoshop and will be supported in developing experiments and ideas.

This project encourages development of SMSC skills and British Values through independent and personalised learning about a range of current and historical issues

Year 11 (Fine Art & Photography)

Year 11 Artists and Photographers will begin with the mock exam unit which will allow the students to choose from a range of themes (based on past exam questions) before researching a minimum of 3 artists/photographers. Students will be encouraged to experiment with a diverse range of materials, techniques and processes and will be individually supported in developing ideas which will lead to independent outcomes.

In January yr11 will begin the externally set assignment

Please follow the link for further information and guidance:

Students will be introduced to a range of drawing, painting and 3D techniques and will be offered regular tuition both in and out of lessons and encouraged to work independently at home.

The Photography course will introduce students to both historical and contemporary practices. Practical techniques and the use of SLR cameras will be taught all of which will be supported and enriched by regular Artist and contextual research.

A Level photography students can expect to have regular one to one tuition both in and out of lessons and will be encouraged to take regular shoots outside of lessons.

Students who opt for the A Level courses in Photography or Fine Art follow the Edexcel Syllabus. Students will receive 10 hours per fortnight as well as regular opportunities for independent study and extra support and tuition outside of lessons.

Results remain high in both areas.

For further information and guidance click on the link

Key Stage 5

Currently we offer both A Level Fine Art and Photography courses, both of which enjoy excellent results year on year.

The Fine Art course offers the students the opportunities to work with a range of both traditional and contemporary processes all of which are supported and enriched by regular Artist research and contextual inputs.

Students will be introduced to a range of drawing, painting and 3D techniques and will be offered regular tuition both in and out of lessons and encouraged to work independently at home.

A Level photography students can expect to have regular one to one tuition both in and out of lessons and will be encouraged to take regular shoots outside of lessons.

Results remain high in both areas.

For further information on our A level Fine Art and A level Photography see the webpage on Sandbach College website

For further information and guidance click on the link

Qualifications

GCSE Fine Art (AQA)

GCSE Photography (AQA)

A Level Fine Art (EDEXCEL)

A Level Photography (EDEXCEL)

Wider Curriculum

The Art department offer a range of lunchtime and after school clubs and enrichment sessions which take into account the interests, passions and needs of our students at all key stages.

The Art department also offer a range of trips and visits including:

KS3 visits to Liverpool Museum and The Walker Art Gallery
KS3, 3 and 5 visits to European destinations. These have recently included Venice, Florence, Paris and Amsterdam
KS4 Art residential to the Conway Centre
London Art galleries
Manchester and Liverpool Art galleries
KS5 G&T trip to Tuscany (in conjunction with other Cheshire schools and colleges)

We also foster close links with the wider community and have exhibited work in local venues as well as working closely with local artists and Sandbach High School and Sixth Form College alumni.

Useful Links

Five ways I can help my child in Art (KS3):

Foster their creativity by encouraging independent drawing/painting at home
Encourage them to not be worried about trying out new skills. Mistakes often make for good progress.
Help them learn to appreciate other pupil’s work – listen carefully to the story behind their ideas
Encourage your child to ask lots of questions in class
Regular trips to local galleries

Five ways to help your child by encouraging the following at home (KS4):

Foster their creativity by encouraging independent drawing/painting at home whilst reminding them that there are plenty of lunchtime and after school sessions.
Encourage them to get involve in departmental promotion and or clubs
Help them make best use of their free time to ensure that they keep up with pace of the course
Ensure your child is fully equipped for the course they are on.
Regular trips to local galleries

Five ways I can help my child in Art (KS5):

Foster their creativity by encouraging independent drawing/painting at home whilst reminding them that there are plenty of lunchtime and after school sessions.
Encourage them to get involve in departmental promotion and or clubs
Help them make best use of their free time to ensure that they keep up with pace of the course
Ensure your child is fully equipped for the course they are on.
Regular trips to local galleries

We love to celebrate the work of our students and the stunning work they produce can be found on instagram at art_photo_shssfc or via our twitter account Sandbach High Art & Photography