Art

Art in Year 7

Year 7 students begin their KS3 art course by learning about the foundation skills. We cover all the elements, such as line, tone, pattern and colour, through a portrait project in terms 1 and 2. Students will create studies and responses and learn how to organise a sketchbook so that it is clear and methodical, as well as improving their drawing and design skills. Students are also given the opportunity to work in groups to explore a variety of artists who use colour and pattern and complete a group project inspired by their House Goddesses.

Art in Year 8

In Year 8 students build upon the skills they have learnt in their previous year. Students will develop their painting skills with a project exploring Black History Month. This project will give students the opportunity to use paint on canvas, and go on to exhibit their work in the Townley Contemporary Gallery.

In the second half of the year, Year 8 students will continue to develop their skills in observing and drawing the human body. Students will explore a variety of artists who have drawn and painted, and been inspired by the human body, and will go on to investigate proportion and perspective.

Art in Year 9

In Year 9 the Art Department provide an exciting and challenging Programme of Study which introduces students to a more independent way of working, in preparation for the GCSE Art curriculum. Students will study two units of work, primarily focussed around Pop Art and Identity. Students will be given opportunities to draw and paint from direct observation, as well as develop ideas using contextual references as a starting point.

Year 9's continue to be offered the exciting opportunity to publicly exhibit their work in the school, with their second unit which is based on the work of Claes Oldenburg and the Pop Art movement.  Every Year 9 student will be expected to produce work in a sketchbook; providing them plenty of opportunities to work independently, learn to display and annotate work as they create it, as well as tracking their ideas and skills as they develop them.

History of Art in Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 & 9)

All Key Stage 3 students have the opportunity to study the History of Art in Year 7, 8 and 9. The course is structured around the three terms of the academic calendar.

The KS3 Art History course introduces students to a wide range of art from different cultures, and from different time periods in order to expand their knowledge and understanding of the arts, as well as placing these artworks into their contexts in order to expand their understanding of social history. Starting in Year 7, students begin their journey within the Pre-history timeframe and complete their brief journey through time in Year 9 with the contemporary period.

We are fortunate and excited to be able to offer Art History at Townley, and we continually seek new ways to inspire students to finding out more about the stories behind famous artworks, artists and buildings.

The course will equip students to study art GCSE as well as expand their understanding of our History of Art A-Level.

Art in Year 10

A GCSE in Art and Design develops students' ability to think creatively and in an independent manner. All projects allow students to develop their technical skills whilst encouraging them to develop their own ideas and interests. Students in Year 10 study two units of work. Natural/Unnatural world, which began in September and ends at Easter has explored a breadth of foundation skills in Art and is culminating in a printmaking project. After Easter students will begin Unit 2, entitled Identity, which will give students the opportunity to become more independent in their explorations and allow them to start to take ownership of the direction of their own work. Unit 2 will end in the Year 11 Mock exam next year.

Art in Year 11

Students in Year 11 are completing their two coursework units of work, which they began in Year 10 (Natural World and Identity). This year they need to ensure that they have presented all their coursework, ready for moderation, fulfilling all four assessment objectives, including creating final pieces for the exhibition. Coursework will make up 60% of their overall mark at GCSE.  In February, all art students will receive their externally assessed unit, which will culminate in a 10-hour examination in May 2019.

Assessment Structure

Exam Board: Edexcel

Two Coursework Projects 60%

• Natural
• Unnatural world and Identity

One Externally Set Assignment 40%

At A Level we deliver an Art and Design specification which allows students to really push their creativity and refine their skills and techniques. This will enable students to be prepared for higher education.

In order to take A-Level Art and Design you need to have a passion for the Arts, skills in either drawing and/or photography and be skilled at researching Artists in depth. Determination, self-motivation and discipline are required to keep up with deadlines in this coursework based subject.

Assessment Structure

Exam board: Edexcel

Year 12 Art and Design Overview

• Component 1 – Internally set
• Method of Assessment:   Supporting studies and final piece
• Date of Assessment:  Spring term Lower Sixth

Year 12 will consist of a Portfolio Unit, which is designed to build skills to A Level standard. The work from Year 12 can be used within the portfolio for Year 12. The unit will be assessed at the end of the year, the result of which will be used to predict grades for University. The Personal Investigation will start at the end of Year 12.

Year 13 Art and Design Overview

Component 1 – Personal Investigation

• Method of Assessment Supporting studies, final piece, and essay (1000 words). The essay is 12% of the final assessment
• Length of Examination/Assessment/Coursework Sept-Jan
• Weighting 50% of final A Level grade
• Date of Assessment Summer Upper Sixth

Component 2 - Externally Set

• Method of Assessment Supporting studies and final piece (final piece completed in 15hr exam)
• Length of Examination/Assessment/Coursework Feb-April. 15hr final piece under exam conditions in April/May
• Weighting Carries 50% of A Level grade
• Date of Assessment Summer Upper Sixth