Aston Manor 
Curriculum Rationale in: Art
KS3 Curriculum:
In the Art department, we deliver a two-year KS3 programme in line with the requirements of the National Curriculum in England. The aim of our programme is to engage, inspire and challenge pupils with a diverse range of stimuli, whilst equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. As pupils progress, they should be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design.
The content allows students to explore the basic formal elements of art and design such as line, tone, form, shape, pattern, texture and colour. We deliver three schemes of work per year that aim to broaden students’ knowledge and understanding of the subject, building upon a limited art and design experience at KS2.
Integrated into the curriculum is the opportunity to draw on the rich and diverse cultural heritage of our students, who often come from very different cultural backgrounds. This is celebrated through multicultural themes and projects. Students are encouraged to learn not only through the practical aspect of being creative but also through discussion, comparisons and making critical judgements about their own and others’ work.
Yr 7 – Themes covered: Line and Mark making, Colour Theory and Pattern and Texture. Pattern and texture explores different cultures such as Aboriginal, African, and Islamic Art.
Yr 8 – Themes covered: Portraits, The Work of an Artist or Art movement and Tone and Form.
In studying artists and, or, art movements within each scheme of work, students understand how art and design both reflect, and shape, our history and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation. By drawing inspiration from both western and non-western cultures, students begin to appreciate art in a wider context.
Y9 Curriculum:
Year 9 acts as a transition and foundation year for our learners. Time is taken at the start of the year to ensure that there is equality across the groups in terms of knowledge acquired and skills developed, to taught. They are given the time and space to develop and refine key skills that they can then build upon as they begin their GCSE work in Year 10 and 11. Students learn about the importance of building a portfolio and are introduced to the ways in which other artists are studied. In Year 9 they begin to demonstrate qualities such as resilience, resourcefulness and how to appreciate the reflective nature of art experiences. They grow in their ability to appreciate and value the differences in each other’s work. This enables them to later make informed critical decisions and judgements.
KS4 Curriculum:
Edexcel GCSE Art and Design is studied at KS4. The course is 60% coursework and 40% exam. During KS4, students prepare a personal portfolio. Skills learned at KS3 are refined, and the use of new media, techniques and processes broadens student’s skillset. There is a greater emphasis on personalised learning and students are encouraged to be independent in formulating their own line of enquiry. At this point many students draw on their own identity and life experience to inspire their personal responses. Themes of study reflect a more mature and personal approach where pupils are encouraged to express themselves freely and to be confident about doing this. Pupils are taught to develop their creativity and ideas and increase proficiency in their execution. They should develop a critical understanding of artists, and designers, expressing reasoned judgements that can inform their own work.
The skills developed at GCSE are as follows:
To use a range of techniques to record their observations in sketchbooks, journals and other media as a basis for exploring their ideas;
To become confident using a wide range of techniques and media;
To increase their proficiency in the handling of different materials;
To analyse and evaluate their own work, and that of others, to strengthen the visual impact or applications of their work;
To understand about the history of art, craft, design including periods, styles and major movements from ancient times up to the present day.
KS5 Curriculum:
In Years 12 and 13 students follow the BTEC LEVEL 3 Extended certificate in Art and Design specification.
We welcome external students on to the course and all students must achieve a minimum of grade 5 at GCSE Art to begin the course.
This course offers a diverse range of learning experiences and promotes both practical and literacy skills. Annotation and self-reflection and evaluation of work are key to achieving a distinction. Students by now are becoming young artists who are confident about their own ability but also happy to take risks with their work. They challenge themselves and surprise themselves with what they are able to achieve, working in small, highly focused groups around themes and ideas they have generated.
Click the link below to download our curriculum delivery overview for Art: