“Every child is an artist”
Outcomes for students in Art are consistently outstanding at all key stages. The Hayfield School Art department offers a diverse curriculum that develops pupils into artists; it is a popular, highly engaging subject that not only connects with pupils on a deep conceptual level but also explores and challenges their views on culture in the wider world. The curriculum is delivered by passionate, dedicated teachers who celebrate creative expression.
All pupils learn to deconstruct and analyse other artists, artisans, cultures and historical periods, allowing them to apply this knowledge to their own work and make connections between contexts and styles to become both critics and practitioners. Pupils work on both collaborative and individual projects in a variety of traditional media and new technologies. Particular emphasis is placed on reflection and peer/self evaluation time to help pupils improve outcomes. We encourage pupils to develop their skills through the effective setting of home learning.
Are you creative and imaginative?
Do you enjoy exploring ideas and looking at things in different ways?
If so, you should consider a course in Fine Art with AQA. Fine art is about looking, learning, thinking and communicating. You will enjoy developing your understanding of the visual world, learning practical skills and responding to ideas and issues in ways that are personal to you.
GCSE Fine Art offers you the opportunity to use your creativity to express yourself. You will develop your understanding of creative processes, your ability to observe and to think, to solve problems and to communicate in a visual way. It will enable you to work independently and to make your own discoveries by exploring ideas, other artists’ work and different materials and techniques. Fine art gives you the skills and knowledge to create personal and imaginative work. If you have an adventurous, creative and enquiring mind and are excited by shaping and determining the visual world around us, then this could be the subject for you.
It is an exceptionally enriching and stimulating subject. While many pupils opt to take art for GCSE because they greatly enjoy the subject and/or because they possess natural artistic flair, the vast majority do so because they recognise its broader educational value. The increasing dominance of visual communication in the modern world – perhaps one of its defining features – means that art is a very important academic subject. It is worth noting that in the UK economy, the Creative Sector (underpinned by visual artists) is the second only to the Financial Sector as a generator of income for the Exchequer.
Other information you may want to know… A few myths dispelled:
The main areas of learning are listed below. As part of the course you will …
Learn the creative Art and Design process by producing research, ideas, recordings and presenting this in a sketchbook or in e-portfolio.
Know the most significant Fine Artists within history and the different types of Art movements.
Research and respond to a range of Art and Artists.
Develop your skills in recording this will include many types of primary observations and the use of images.
Be able to create work in one or more of these areas:
Learn ow to use a range of media e.g. Acrylic,Ink,Oil, Powder Paint,Pencil,Graphite,Charcoal,Plaster,Clay,Video/Animation
Use different techniques; Painting, printing, drawing (wet and dry skills) and 3D manipulation, Basic Photography and digital media including Animation/ Video skills.
Learn how to critically respond to Artwork, understanding there ideas,messages and context.
Understand the visual language of Art and Design
Learn how to critique and annotate work through an evaluative process.
Learn how to present final works and outcomes into a gallery space for exhibition.
You will be assessed through two components:
Component 1 Coursework (Sketchbook/Eportfolio of Evidence) which is worth 60% of the final grade.This component is followed from September of Year 10 until January of Year 11. This is made up of several projects, workshops and tutorials.
Identity Project : This project will allow you to learn the skills and knowledge to understand the assessment process within Fine Art. It will give you the opportunity to experiment, explore and challenge what you value in Fine Art. Your intentions will be considered, meaningful as well as playful.All work work will develop through a journey of creative play and mistakes.
Mini Projects: These are introduced to develop particular skills sets e.g. 3D,printing,painting and drawing techniques.
Personal Project :You choose the type, style and subject in collaboration with your teacher.This project allows you a deeper level of personal response and freedom to develop skills and knowledge in an area of your own particular interest.You will research a wide range of artists and investigate current ideas and past examples in relation to your chosen theme.
Component 2 Externally set Assignment (Exam Project) which is worth 40% of the final grade.It from January-April of yr11 preparation time,including a 10 hour timed period over several days/weeks with which to complete a final Piece. Both components are evidenced using sketchbooks , Eportfolio and final pieces.
In choosing a creative subject you are developing a wide range of personal and technical skills that will be part of every lesson and integrated ethos e.g. problem solving, independent learning, research skills,critical analysis, evaluation, communication and organisation skills.You will develop skills in personal motivation to meet deadlines.The course has many small deadlines to enable you to persevere and improve the quality of your work as you go along.
Fine Art does require you to have a set of basic equipment at home e.g. graded pencils, paints brushes, paper to allow work to carry on beyond the classroom. You can borrow items but only for short periods of time as stock is limited. You can purchase your sketchbook or use a school book.
Fine Art will provide you with a wide understanding of world issues and expose you to a range of cultural ideas through visual artist research. It will help you to communicate through images and read and reflect on what we see within our society. In capturing life you are capturing history, society and culture.
This qualification can take you on to further study at A level or higher education. Fine Art is an excellent subject to show an employer your versatility as well as creativity, commitment and diversity. There are many careers that are connected to the visual arts where art is an essential skill.
You may decide to continue this qualification and pursue one of the following professions…Artist, Graphic Design, Fashion Design, Interior Design, Architect. Your teacher will be happy to share knowledge of linked professions with you.
Year 7 and 8 Wednesday Lunch time club (Subject to change)
Year 9, 10, 11 Monday and Tuesday Lunch time Club (Subject to change)
All years after school club is on a Thursday 3:30pm – 4:45pm (Subject to change)
