Art and Photography

At Arrow Vale, we believe that the Art Department is an open minded, forward thinking and success driven unit that consistently strives to ensure all teachers and pupils have a safe learning environment that promotes independence and achievement.

Our aim is to adopt a whole school approach that allows development, diversity, progression and expansion to facilitate students’ self-confidence and belief in themselves and their environment. Art and Design at Arrow Vale offers a unique opportunity for all students to reveal their true potential, express their ideas and develop their imaginations, through learning that is expressive, imaginative, productive, reflective and critical.

We believe that our creative approach to learning and teaching enables students to develop a wealth of knowledge about themselves, others, culture and society. The Art department encourages personal expression, imagination, sensitivity and conceptual thinking that will help students to develop a range of skills and concepts that can be used throughout life. As such, Art is an invaluable part of the education of young people at the Arrow Vale.

Year 9

In Year 9 the focus is on developing students’ artistic, investigative, exploratory and creative skills. They do this through a range of projects such as developing their observational drawing skills in the Footwear unit, a range of painting and 3D skills through an Insect project and mixed media skills through group project in the summer term. There will be a different skill focus for each half term, but students will have the opportunity to experiment with different materials, media, techniques and processes throughout every project. Students are encouraged to broaden their understanding and knowledge of different artists and art movements in order to help them get inspiration and generate ideas. As well as developing their own style through a range of individual tasks, students also get the chance to work in teams and produce collaborative artworks to be displayed in the school grounds. Students develop their skills in critiques and also to be able to interpret criticism as a progressive and informative tool to enhance and develop their learning.

Key Stage 4

GCSE AQA Fine Art

This course allows you to explore a diverse range of art and design materials, techniques and processes. It will enable you to investigate a variety of specialist areas and develop your knowledge and understanding of traditional and contemporary art, artists and designers. Taking what you learn, you will develop your own ideas and artworks based around a given theme to be interpreted in your own individual way. This course has been thoughtfully developed to provide you with an extensive understanding of the skills and knowledge necessary to prepare you for A-Levels or for employment in the world of art and design.

To pass this course you will need to complete:

A PORTFOLIO OF WORK (60%)

Your portfolio of work will be produced through undertaking two assignments based on a range of inspiring themes and concepts. You will explore a wide variety of artistic materials, techniques and processes as well as investigating traditional and contemporary art, artists and designers.

Your portfolio will be developed and comprised by selecting the most imaginative creative and well executed work undertaken during the course of study and this must include one project plus other work.

EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT/CONTROLLED EXAM (40%)

You will be provided with a range of starting points to stimulate and inspire the development of an exam-based project. You will then have a short time to prepare and develop a response to your chosen theme of study. The controlled test will then require 10 hours of sustained focused study in which to produce your outcome to meet all assessment objectives.

GCSE AQA Photography

This course allows you to develop a wide range of skills within photography, learning how to use different cameras effectively and how to use Photoshop to edit photos creatively. Taking what you learn, you will develop your own ideas and photographs based around a given theme. This course has been thoughtfully developed to provide you with an extensive understanding of the skills and knowledge necessary to prepare you for A-Levels or for employment in the world of photography.

To pass this course you will need to complete:

A PORTFOLIO OF WORK (60%)

Your portfolio of work will be produced following a short skills development project. After learning the basics, you will complete two main projects based on a range of inspiring themes and concepts such as the Human Figure and Architecture. You will explore a wide variety of skills as well as traditional and contemporary photographers.

EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT/CONTROLLED EXAM (40%)

Key Stage 5

AQA A Level in Fine Art.

The A-Level in Fine Art provides students with the opportunity to develop personal responses to ideas, observations, experiences, environments and cultures in practical, critical and contextual forms. The flexibility of the course allows students to work from their strengths in order to produce an extended collection of work based on an idea, concept, theme or issue which demonstrates the students’ ability to sustain work from an initial starting point.

The assessment of the course is weighted as follows

60% Personal Investigation.
40% Externally Set Assignment.

The successful completion of an A-Level in Fine Art will help to lay an appropriate foundation for further study of Art and Design or related subjects in Higher Education. In addition, it is suitable for the diverse range of candidates who wish to develop their interest in and enjoyment of Art and Design, and its value in lifelong learning.

AQA A Level in Photography

The A-Level in Photography provides students with the opportunity to develop personal responses to ideas, observations, experiences, environments and cultures in practical, critical and contextual forms. The flexibility of the course allows students to develop their skills in photography and photo editing, producing an extended collection of work and presenting it professionally on a website.

The assessment of the course is weighted as follows

60% Personal Investigation.
40% Externally Set Assignment.

The successful completion of an A-Level in Photography will help to lay an appropriate foundation for further study of Photography or related subjects in Higher Education. In addition, it is suitable for the diverse range of candidates who wish to develop their interest in and enjoyment of Photography, building on the skills learnt at GCSE.

Enrichment

Art allows for a rich and diverse range of enrichment opportunities.

Both the art and photography courses will allow pupils to access working with professional artists and practitioners in a number of artistic disciplines; this could be to enhance the school community or the wider community. The Art department also run a number of out of school trips to Galleries and exhibitions that support the work undertaken in class. We also offer a range of field trips to support and inform specific projects such as Environment and Architecture.

The department encourages pupils to enter a range of local national artistic competitions. The department will often work with different departments in the school providing a links to a range of subjects and contextualising Art in the wider scheme of the world.

SMSC in Art

The art course lends itself to a wide range of Spiritual, Moral, Cultural and Social studies. Students will analyse, engage with and question their own and others work, identify how beliefs, values and meanings are expressed and shared. Students are encouraged to express themselves through their art, which is supported by strong research into the wider world around them. This is reinforced by trips and outings to museums, galleries and field studies that are strongly linked to projects. The department undertakes several extra-curricular activities that enhance the students’ experience of the fine arts and its context in the world.

Spiritual Development in Art

The Art and design course is dependent on the students’ ability to enquire and communicate their ideas, meanings and feelings. Students will investigate visual, tactile and other sensory qualities of their own and others work. We encourage independent thinking that will enable students to develop their ideas and intentions and express these in an appropriate manner.

All schemes of work are designed to show progression to enhance self-worth.
All outcomes are encouraged to show individuality that is purposeful and meaningful.
Students are encouraged to explore their own ideas and meaning in order to promote self-identity
We concentrate on building confidence through developing skill sets in each project.
Independent reflections on own work through self-evaluations.
Giving pupils the chance to reflect on nature, their environment and surroundings at GCSE through a Natural Form vs Man Made project, and an Environment project.
Students are taught to experiment and trust in their own judgements throughout art and design by being given the option of resources and equipment and the freedom to use different media together to improve their creative responses and express personal opinion.
Encouraging individuality through student choice in most tasks, especially GCSE and A-level courses
Visitors from local Universities give students opportunities to discuss future options post 1

Moral Development in Art

Throughout the course students are encouraged to look at work that will often pose a moral question. The student’s outcomes are supported with a rationale or a meaning that will often convey a message.

Students explore aesthetics- and are given the opportunity to give an opinion as to what looks good and what does not.

All students are taught to understand and read an artwork in order to relate to a concept or idea that conveys a meaning.
Students engage with bigger questions surrounding the context of different art and photography pieces and are encouraged to form their own opinions.
The Landscape project at GCSE and ‘Environments’ project in Yr12 looks closely at the world in which we live and our influence upon it.
Opportunities for sixth form to select their own issues to research and represent through their artwork such as domestic abuse and war
Students are required to give an opinion on others work with justification for their view.
Taking inspiration from Rankin’s ‘Destroy’ project and using it to stem discussions about self-identity.
Tackling current issues in photography such as bullying, social media and mental health.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN ART

Students work is celebrated throughout the school and displayed in many areas. Pupils work independently and collaboratively to develop public and community artworks that express relationships between the students and local community.

Students discuss a range of artists and artwork, encouraging and developing communication skills
Extensive displays of student artwork in the art department and around the school
TRICS day Team activities in which students undertake a collaborative project such as the Scrap Heap Challenge.
Regular group and pair work in photography and art, supporting one another in a variety of projects in order to enhance team working skills. e.g., Collaborative art panels, large scale work and community projects.
All year groups give regular peer feedback and assessment.
Group presentations and critiques in year 11 and sixth form, encouraging communication and peer feedback
Students are taught to give and receive positive criticism in order to inform ideas and decisions about their work.
We regularly undertake Community art projects such as re-conditioning the local bus shelters
Art and photography work are shared in Arrow News each term to share students’ achievements with the Arrow Vale and wider communities.
GCSE and A-level work is exhibited at the end of the year to celebrate student achievements
Tackling current social issues in photography such as beauty in the media, bullying, climate change, social media and mental health.

Cultural Development in Art

Throughout the units of work explored Students will develop their knowledge and understanding of artist’s ideas and concepts identifying how meanings are conveyed. Students will be exposed to a wide variety of cultures, beliefs and religions. Through their investigations they will research and explore the religious and non-religious beliefs adopted by a variety of cultures from around the world.

Students engage with, research and discuss artists from different cultures and places around the world.

Art lessons are influenced by the styles, techniques and materials from different cultures.
Regular trips to local National Trust properties
Students are required to research a wide range of artists and link their findings to their own work.
Trips to London and local galleries and Universities are used to help influence and link to personal projects.
Students are encouraged to experiment with a variety of traditional and non-traditional art materials and processes.
Visiting local environments for photo shoots on location such as the Lickey Hills and Birmingham City Centre.