See our Art & Design Curriculum below at Bentley Wood for KS3, KS4 and KS5
Course Aims:
Students build on their experiences of Art & Design by improving their practical and critical skills and extending their knowledge of materials, processes and practices. Students actively engaging with the experience of working with a broad range of media including traditional and new technologies in order to develop into critical and reflective thinkers. Art & Design is taught through a series of projects which relate to a particular theme.
The theme will usually last for one term and each project will focus on one skill or technique. Students will develop a cultural knowledge, understanding and application of art, craft, design and media and technologies in historical and contemporary contexts. During Key Stage 3 students work with a wide variety of 2D and three 3D media, including drawing, painting, photography, ICT image manipulation, printmaking, collage, wire and paper sculpture, ceramics and papier mâché.
Year 7 Art
Spring Term – Portraits
This project is based around portraiture. Students are taught to draw the face in proportion through observation. Artists explored include early renaissance paintings through to the Pop Art where students produce a contemporary outcome influenced by celebrity culture.
Summer Term – Carnivals
Students look at a variety of carnivals and celebrations from around the world to inspire a range of drawings, paintings, and a ceramic carnival mask outcome. Through visual research and artist references, students explore pattern, colour, symbolism, and cultural meaning.
This project develops their understanding of different cultures while encouraging creative experimentation with 2D and 3D processes, materials, and decorative techniques. Students refine their ideas through design work before producing a final ceramic outcome that reflects both cultural awareness and personal creativity.
Year 8 Art
Summer Term – Fastenings
This project focusses on developing drawing and painting skills through close observation of still life objects and fastenings. Students explore a range of materials, techniques, and processes to record form, texture, tone, and proportion accurately.
Through sustained observational drawing, photography, and artist research, students develop their ideas and visual language. These investigations are refined and translated into a final painted outcome that demonstrates careful observation, technical control, and a personal response to the subject matter.
Enrichment activities:
We offer a range of Art clubs after school and during lunch time. Students continue with the work from the lesson or develop individual interests. Activities include painting, ceramics, drawing, sculpture and print making.
Key Stage 4 & 5 / Career Progression:
Art & Design and Graphic Communication are offered at GCSE with A Level Fine Art offered in the Sixth Form. Developing Art & Design skills at KS3 is vital for pursuing any ‘art’ related subject at GCSE, A Level and BTEC, such as Textile Design, Graphic Communication and Photography. This has the potential to then lead on to degree and to a wide range of careers.
Recommended Reading:
Numerous art publications are held in the school library, art department and local library. Students are encouraged to read magazine articles (e.g. in Sunday supplements) and keep these. The Internet is also a valuable resource for researching well known artists.
GCSE Art and Design – Fine Art
During the first two terms of Year 9 students continue to build upon their existing artistic knowledge and skills following a broad based art and design curriculum focussing on developing key skills such as drawing and painting.
At the beginning of the summer term students will begin their GCSE in Art and Design which is a broad course exploring practical and contextual work through a range of 2D and/or 3D processes, new media and technologies. It is a course where students can work within two or more of the endorsements in appropriate art, craft and design materials and processes. This syllabus particularly focuses on students’ ability to draw and success relies on this particular skill. Students must also demonstrate and ability to communicate through writing.
Examining Board: AQA
Aims of the GCSE Course:
GCSE Content and Method of Assessment:
Course is centre-assessed and moderated by AQA
Recommended Reading
Enrichment:
Key Stage 5 Progression/ Career Prospects
A Level Fine Art is offered in the Sixth Form at Bentley Wood. Studying a broad based Art & Design course at GCSE is a basic requirement for pursuing any ‘art’ related subject at A Level and BTEC, such as Textile Design, Graphic Communication, Photography, 3-D including Sculpture and Ceramics. This will then lead on to degree and to a wide range of careers.
During the first two terms of Year 9 students continue to build upon their existing graphical knowledge and skills following a broad based curriculum focussing on developing understanding on the key elements of design through small one-off workshops.
At the beginning of the summer term students begin their GCSE in Art and Design – Graphic Communication. Students are expected to produce practical and contextual work using art skills as a base in one or more area(s) including illustration, advertising, packaging design, design for print, communication, lens-based media: animation and photography. This syllabus will particularly focus on students’ ability to draw and an ability to communicate through writing is a requirement.
A Level Fine Art is offered in the Sixth Form at Bentley Wood with Graphic Design offered within the Collegiate. Studying an art based Graphic Design course at GCSE is a basic requirement for pursuing any ‘art’ related subject at A Level and BTEC, such as Textiles, Graphic Design, Photography, 3-D including Sculpture and Ceramics. This will then lead on to degree and a wide range of careers.
Is Art and Design the subject for you?
Yes, if you wish to study art, craft and design at a higher level usually at Art College or are looking to take up careers for which an art background is relevant. For example careers in advertising, publishing, architecture, design, fashion design, textiles, museums, theatre or education. Fine Art is also suitable for students who have an interest and an aptitude for the subject but do not intend to study it further. The skills developed within this subject are highly transferable and will tell future Universities and employers that you are a creative thinker and a versatile worker.
Course content
The main purpose of any course in art, craft and design is to develop your ability to appreciate the visual world and to respond in a personal and creative way. The skills you will develop will be varied. Among them, you will develop a working knowledge of materials, practices and technology in one or more of your ideas and feelings using art, craft and design.
Methods of study
How will it be examined?
This is a two-year linear A Level.
Career opportunities
During the first two terms of Year 9 students continue to build upon their existing textiles knowledge and skills following a broad based art textiles curriculum working towards developing their Textiles skills from KS3 through a variety of mini projects.
At the beginning of the Summer Term in Year 9 students begin their GCSE in Textile Design which is a broad course exploring practical and contextual work through a range of 2D and/or 3D processes, new media and technologies. Textile design is defined as the creation of designs and products for woven, knitted, stitched, printed or decorative textiles that might have a functional or non-functional purpose. Students are required to work in one or more area(s) of textile design such as: Art textiles, fashion design and illustration, costume design, constructed textiles, printed and dyed textiles, surface pattern, soft furnishings and/or textiles for interiors, digital textiles and installed textiles.
Recommended Reading Numerous art publications are held in the school library, ADT department and local library. Students are encouraged to watch BBC news, read magazine articles (e.g. in Sunday supplements) and keep these. The Internet is also a valuable resource for researching well known designers.
A Level Fine Art is offered in the Sixth Form at Bentley Wood. Studying a broad based Art & Design course at GCSE is a basic requirement for pursuing any ‘art’ related subject at A Level and BTEC, such as Textile Design, Graphic Communication, Photography, 3-D including Sculpture and Ceramics. This then lead on to degree and to a wide range of careers.
