Educational Aims:
To endeavour to create and sustain with God’s help an environment where:
• Pupils are free to enjoy the subject
• Pupils have the freedom of expression to be creative
• Pupils have the freedom to reach their potential
• Pupils have the freedom to fail without retort
• Pupils have the freedom to develop an inquiring mind to make sense of the world
• Pupils have the freedom to develop spiritual values contributing to the experience of life helping to build a balanced personality
• Pupils can develop their creativity and imagination through visual, tactile and sensory experiences
• Pupils can explore ideas and meaning in the work of artists, craftspeople and designers and learn about the diverse roles and functions of art, craft and design in the contemporary world and in different times and cultures.
• Pupils learn to make value judgements and aesthetic and practical decisions, becoming actively involved in shaping environments
Organisation of KS 3 Curriculum:
In KS 3, students receive 1 hour per week, per year of Art and Design. Students experience a broad and balanced curriculum where they study two themed projects in a 2D skills area(painting; Drawing; printmaking and Computer graphics) for half the year, then a 3D skills area(Designing and making in mixed media sculptural materials) for the other half.
There is a major and minor project studied in each .These project themes are planned and assessed in accordance with the National Curriculum. At the end of each project there are constructive criticisms, where upon the students evaluate and self assess their work.
The work of other Artists from different times and cultures plays a central role throughout this period of foundation learning.
Organisation of KS 4 Curriculum:
In KS 4, Students receive two 1 hour periods of Art and Design per week over Two years or effectively 5 terms.
There are two GCSE full Art and Design courses running in KS 4; one being the Endorsed Graphics Course and the other the Unendorsed General Art and Design course.
The Art courses are very popular choice for students. They offer the opportunity to build upon the foundation skills, and develop a mature and individual approach to the development of their own work. They are given the opportunity to reflect on their own and other Artists work.
Students receive a broad and balanced education in each area, taught through studying three themes over the length of the course of which the best two are submitted to be externally assessed. Each project is planned to cover the AQA Exam Board syllabus requirements.
The students sit an externally set exam in the spring term of the Year 11. Here, the students are given a choice of seven questions to choose from and have to select one question to answer in any appropriate media. Students are given four weeks to prepare, culminating in a 10 hour exam set over three days. The work is internally moderated and then presented in an exhibition, which is moderated by an external Moderator. Guardians; students; Governors and staff are invited to a private view. This continues to be a highlight of the ‘Art calendar’.
The weighting of the marks awarded are as follows; 60% Coursework and 40% External Test.
Art and Design at St Bede's.pdf
Name of staff including Head of Department and contact emails
• Mr. Neil Gardner (Head of Department) - ngardner@stbedes.cambs.sch.uk
• Mrs. Katherine Woodard - kwoodard@stbedes.cambs.sch.uk
Specialised Pupil Equipment:
The following are only suggestions for mainly for KS4 students however, KS3 students would benefit from these if keen;
• Range of Drawing pencils from 2H- 2B.
• Range of colouring pencils.
• An eraser.
• Watercolour or Poster paints.
• Gouache Designer paints.
• Range of quality paintbrushes.
• A3 portrait format plastic covered ring binder to hold sketchbook images.
• A3 portrait format plastic wallets to protect the sketchbook work.
