Art and Design

Intent:

The KS3 Art curriculum provides students with a rich and varied experience that builds progressively across Year 7 and Year 8. In Year 7, students begin by exploring the formal elements through the Colour & Still Life project, where they develop an understanding of mood and colour theory while refining their observational drawing skills. This foundation enables them to build confidence in applying core techniques. In the Cactus project, students explore experimental techniques, focusing on natural forms to encourage creativity and the expressive use of media. This helps them move beyond realism and start thinking about texture, line, and surface in more imaginative ways. The Insects project consolidates their learning by encouraging them to combine materials and techniques to create high-quality recordings of detailed forms, further strengthening their ability to observe and refine visual information. 

In Year 8, students continue to broaden their creative and analytical thinking. The Hundertwasser project introduces abstract drawing inspired by environmental and dreamlike imagery, enabling students to explore how artists respond to the world around them through symbolic forms. In Micro Magic, students make interdisciplinary links between Science and Art by exploring microscopic imagery and the work of Klari Reis, enhancing their understanding of how contemporary art can be informed by scientific developments. Finally, in the Day of the Dead project, students deepen their appreciation for cultural traditions by exploring celebration and symbolism in Mexican heritage. They develop skills in design, pattern, and composition while producing work that demonstrates an awareness of meaning and context. Throughout KS3, students are supported to experiment, reflect, and refine their ideas, building a strong foundation of technical and conceptual understanding in preparation for KS4 Art and Design.