Creativity through the visual arts is essential for developing confidence and well-being. It provides an outlet for personal expression and develops the unique individuality within each child. Learning a visual language is a necessary form of communication in the creative industries. Drawing is at the heart of all forms of design and at St John’s drawing skills are developed through KS3. At St. John’s we use a thematic approach in keeping with the examination specifications. The themes are the same for years 7 and 8 but the approaches focus on different artists and skills. Drawing from direct observation is tested, along with classwork and sketchbook research at each Milestone Assessment. Students are expected to keep a sketchbook to record their ideas and for homework.

Year 7 

Term 1 

Baseline Assessment based on drawing from direct observation 

“Puzzle me Out” 

Students will study portraiture leading to a self-portrait painted on a jigsaw puzzle piece. The puzzle will be made to form a collaborative piece of Art based on Identity. Students will learn how to square up and draw a portrait. From this activity they will learn about proportion and scale. They will learn how to mix and apply paint. 

Term 2 

“Liturgical Art” 

Students will produce art and craft based on the Nativity. Responses will be displayed as part of an exhibition during the annual school carol service. 

Term 3

“Cultural Celebrations”

• Aboriginal “The Dreaming” • Mexican day of the Dead

Term 4

“Birth and re-birth in nature”

Students will produce a small painting on canvas which will be assembled to form a large crucifix for display in the community areas.

Term 5

“Object for an Artist”

Contextual Study will form a key role in this unit. Students will be taught how to produce annotated visual research on artists and designers from across times and cultures

Term 6

“Colour as Spiritual Delight”

Pupils will be given structured tours of the annual exhibition and be expected to draw inspiration form the work of older examination students

Skills covered

• Drawing from primary and secondary sources • Tonal drawing and perspective • Colour mixing and application • Mixed media techniques • 3D modelling • Using key art terms to describe and analyse works of Art.

Assessment

At the end of each term students will be assessed on their outcome based on the theme, research in their sketchbooks and an observational drawing.

Year 8 

Term 1 

The first of the “Big Six”. The Art Department leads on the first of the “Super Six” projects linked to Remembrance day. Students study “War-Horse” by Michael Morpurgo. They have the opportunity to help create a large scale sculpture for each of the three communities. They will create a mixed media label each to commemorate an element of WW2. They will study Graphic design and Typography leading to a book cover for “War-Horse” 

Term 2 

“Liturgical Art” 

Students will produce art and craft based on the Nativity. Responses will be displayed as part of an exhibition during the annual school carol service. 

Term 3 

“Cultural Celebrations” 

· Mexican Day of the Dead · Indian Art Craft and Design 

Term 4 

“Birth and re-birth in nature” 

A focus on analytical drawing linked to botanical illustration 

Term 5 

“Object for an Artist” 

Contextual Study will form a key role in this unit. Students will be taught how to produce annotated visual research on artists and designers from across times and cultures. 

Term 6 

“Colour as Spiritual Delight” 

Pupils will be given structured tours of the annual exhibition and be expected to draw inspiration form the work of older examination students

Skills covered

• Drawing from primary and secondary sources • Tonal drawing and perspective • Colour mixing and application • How to analyse a work of Art • 2D,3D and printmaking techniques 

Assessment 

At the end of each term students will be assessed on their outcome based on the theme, research in their sketchbooks and an observational drawing. 

What will I gain from studying Art and Design? 

An understanding of the formal elements of Art and Design 

The chance to experiment with a wide range of materials and techniques 

Intensive study of artists and designers relevant to the themes 

Pathways this course can lead to: 

Enrichment Art 

Enrichment Photography 

Enrichment Media 

Enrichment Graphic Design 

Enrichment Fashion and Textiles 

Level 1 / 2 BTEC in Art and Design 

Level 1 / 2 BTEC in Art and Design (Photography pathway) 

Level 1 / 2 BTEC in Art and Design (Graphic Design pathway) 

Level 1 / 2 BTEC in Art and Design (Fashion and Textiles pathway) 

Level 1 / 2 BTEC in Creative Digital Media 

GCSE Fine Art 

GCSE Photography