Our department is a dynamic & thriving centre of excellence for the arts in Cumbria. Art stimulates an individual’s thoughts, emotions, beliefs, or ideas through the senses. Society would be a dull place without Art to enrich our experience &enjoyment of the world. As art activists Bob & Roberta Smith famously said, ‘Art makes people powerful’. We are well-appointed with facilities to work in all major areas of the arts with large teaching rooms, generous studios where Sixth Formers have permanent spaces, a dedicated computer suite, & unusually, a professional exhibition space which doubles as a life room & artist in residency studio. Students leaving us have been highly successful, gaining places on degree courses at universities including Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester & London.
Key Stage 3
In Year 7 we look at Colour & Pattern, in Year 8, The Figure & Portraiture, and in Year 9, 20th & 21st Century Artists.
Each year has several projects spanning two and three-dimensional work in a variety of media; additionally at least one project will be in response to an area of non-western art.
Key Stage 4
Students are increasingly encouraged to become more independent. There is an emphasis on observational drawing, using a wide range of media, and solving problems through experimentation. Students are encouraged to improve their skills by looking at the work of other artists and designers. All students keep a sketchbook which is used to collect information, develop ideas and experiment with materials.
Key Stage 5
A level is a natural extension of GCSE with students being guided through tutorials. Sixth Form students have permanent individual studio spaces and the opportunity to do life drawing. We run bi-annual residential trips to Paris and London which exposes students to a wealth of art and inspiration. Students are encouraged to be ambitious, enthusiastic and strive for excellence.
Staff
- Mr P Glover (Head of Department)
- Mrs I Campbell
- Mr D Forbes
- Mrs D Ledbury
- Mrs A Krawczyk
Intent & implementation
Art is a subject that enables us to understand and find meaning in the world in which we live. We aim to create the very best Artists, Designers and Photographers. We do this by teaching students to become visually literate so they are able to read, interpret and find meaning in signs, symbols, codes and conventions within art, exploring and re-shaping them in their own work.
Through our art curriculum, students are taught not only how to use the formal elements within their art work such as line, tone, colour, space, texture etc., but to also analyse how they are used as powerful communication tools to create effect. Students experience a variety of media, techniques and processes including painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, ceramics and textiles. In KS3 students develop their skills and understanding with progressive complexity and sophistication, so that they are able to make informed choices and work with increasing independence and coherency. Students are encouraged to make mistakes, take risks and solve problems within their work. We support our students to aspire through their learning experiences to standards of excellence intellectually, practically, and aesthetically. The curriculum we provide is rich in skills and knowledge, furthermore, we aim to provide students with an experience that is exciting. By ensuring that our students combine practical skills with creative thinking, they start to develop highly transferable skills for future careers and life.
Our curriculum goes beyond what is taught in lessons, whilst we want students to achieve the very best examination results possible, we believe that art goes beyond what is examinable. As a department we offer a wider range of extra-curricular opportunities to develop students’ skills and knowledge beyond what happens in the classroom. Students contribute to the wider life of school by displaying work in exhibitions throughout the school year as well as taking part in clubs and visits to galleries.
Developing Cultural Capital
We support students in learning to co-operate and negotiate by creating structured opportunities to share good practice and learn from others. Projects across all key stages are aimed at understanding, respecting and engaging with our local environment and other cultural traditions. We actively look at the work of others, celebrate other cultures and encourage diversity. We develop students’ awareness of the impact of art on society and expect them to achieve by applying a variety of skills from the wider curriculum together with those specific to Art to produce effective and considered artworks.
Extracurricular opportunities
Our art clubs run for all year groups and are open to all students, we use them to introduce a wide range of techniques, extending the learning that takes place in lessons. We take students to galleries in Cumbria and beyond, with residential trips for Y12 and 13. We look for opportunities to work with artists and further education providers, developing students’ understanding of the career opportunities available to them.
Careers Education
There are jobs to do with art and design in many industries, whether you actually want a career as an artist or designer yourself or would prefer to look after works by important artists or help others appreciate art. Art careers come in all shapes and sizes. There are art industry jobs creating original works, selling and promoting them, and displaying them to the public in museums and galleries. There are jobs teaching others about art and jobs helping people to express themselves through art. There are also lots of art related jobs outside the world of art. Artistic vision and design skills are needed in areas such as architecture, fashion, media, film and theatre. Click the link to find out about some careers that use art and design.
