Art & Design

Mission Statement: 'Art has the role in education of helping children become more like themselves instead of more like everyone else', Sydney Gurewitz Clemens

Intent

During art lessons at Aston Fields Middle School, our intent is that all pupils have the opportunity to work within a variety of visual areas: drawing, painting, sculpting, printmaking, mosaic and other art, craft and design techniques. Pupils will develop their critical analysis and evaluation skills of other artists, designers and craft makers whilst also exploring the value of historical and cultural influences. Personal creativity, character and individuality are actively encouraged throughout their experiences in art.

Implementation

Pupils are taught many of their lessons in our purpose built Art and Design block. They have access to a huge variety of resources and mediums and benefit from the teaching of specialist art and design teachers. The curriculum is designed to ensure pupils have a broad and balanced view of art, which stretches far beyond just painting and drawing. The artists studied are selected carefully to allow pupils to explore their passion for the subject and again broaden their horizons and provide a greater cultural understanding of Britain and the rest of the world.

Reading skills are woven throughout the art and design curriculum through; observing whole-class presentations, reading and following instructions, carrying out research on artists and art movements and through analysing their own work and that of their peers and reading evaluations and feedback.  

Pupils are consistently encouraged to develop their individual character through working hard, trying their best and through showing grit and determination in seeing artwork through to fruition.  They have opportunities to work independently and with others to develop their respect, tolerance and neighbourliness.  Pupils are acknowledged and praised for showing and improving these skills both during lessons and on an extra-curricular level.

Careers education is frequently discussed during lessons, referring to jobs and careers where specific art and design skills are used.  References are made to display posters and information guides on display within the department block, again highlighting where art and design skills fit into their future lives and the bigger picture.  Assemblies and whole-school challenges give additional opportunities for pupils to explore their art and design skills further.

Below is a brief outline of the courses followed in each year.

Year 7

Pupils start the year completing a six-week basic drawing course. During each week, pupils will complete a series of activities designed to enable them to experiment and explore a particular theme. This is intended to give a grounding in composition, line-making, proportions, shading, texture and colour.
In the autumn term, pupils will also participate in an outdoor educational visit to the Lickey Hills where they research Andy Goldsworthy and gain practical sculptural experience in the forest. Our pupils will study elements from the natural world and take inspiration from their observational sketches to create a piece to celebrate autumn. Pupils will use and combine, drawing, painting and oil pastels.

Continuing the theme of the natural world, pupils will research and design a piece celebrating British wildlife/endangered creatures. Skills used include researching, sketching and observation. Pupils will then apply a variety of techniques to complete their final piece. Also, they look at the work of artist Julie Moore and develop an accompanying acrostic poem.

The final unit for Year 7, allows pupils to explore the self-portraits of both traditional and contemporary artists. Sketchbooks are used to experiment with different techniques and record information before they complete a final piece using mixed media.

Year 8

Pupils begin the year by revisiting skills from Year 7 and complete a more advanced six-week ‘Elements of Art’ course: pupils use primary sources to develop skills and techniques in sketchbooks.

Pupils will then develop their observation and sketching skills further before introducing lino-printing techniques. Pupils are encouraged to develop their designs by evaluating and reflecting upon their ideas. They will then research the lino making process prior to producing a suitable design.

Following this, Year 8 pupils will complete a mini Pop Art project where they research the works of well-known artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol and Keith Haring and design and create a 3D model inspired by the Pop Art movement.

The final project is ‘The Figure’. The focuses of this unit include detailed observational drawing of the figure using both primary and secondary sources; producing a 3D sculpture; and the use of mixed media. Artists studied for this unit include Alberto Giacometti and Henry Moore and Nikki de Saint Phalle. 

Impact

Pupils in all years benefit from the ability to explore art in all its forms. They make excellent progress and this is demonstrated through their finished work, much of which is displayed throughout the school. In addition to this, the school recognises the greater value of the Arts and pupils benefit from an inclusive approach which allows all pupils to build their cultural understanding. As well as a love of art and an appreciation of its history, pupils develop a critical understanding of art and artists, are able to communicate what they like and do not like and understand the benefit of art for their mental health and wellbeing. As a department, we are exceedingly proud of the work they produce and the connections they make.