Art
Intent: The Big Ideas in Art at Atherton High School
For every student to gain knowledge of art and explore the world around them through a variety of new skills, techniques and processes.
- Students will discover a passion for creativity and independence through exposure to a broad range of artistic techniques, skills and processes.
- Pupils will develop wider cultural knowledge through the study of art: to appreciate art history as well as the contemporary movements and ideas that have shaped the art industry today.
- Pupils will gain knowledge of the vast range of career opportunities linked to art and design in life beyond school.
- Pupils will build resilience in their approach and gain confidence in developing ideas, problem solving and experimenting to reach an intended outcome.
How the Art curriculum contributes to the school’s curriculum intent: –
Our curriculum supports students from all backgrounds, including those who are disadvantaged, so students can access a high-quality, knowledge-rich curriculum. Our school community believes strongly in providing disadvantaged pupils with a curriculum that enables them to reach the academic standards of their non-disadvantaged peers. Our goal is to bring our young people into the big conversations of our disciplines, to bring depth to our curriculum, so they can understand the world around them.
- Knowledge: –Knowledge is at the heart of every scheme of learning. In art, pupils will gain knowledge through exposure to a wide range of skills, techniques and processes as well as demonstrating an awareness of the foundations of art, by understanding the formal elements. Pupils will explore the work of historical and contemporary movements and artists, architects and designers. Art will promote deeper learning through a variety of experiences and through various cross-curricular opportunities to develop understanding and to help pupils to make connections in the wider world.
- Vocabulary rich: –We have selected a challenging list of vocabulary, to enrich learning and deepen subject understanding. In art, pupils must be able to articulate their findings, record ideas and insights by using the correct terminology and subject specific vocabulary. Pupils will become familiar with keywords and definitions to promote an ability to verbalise their intention and to speak like an artist.
- Aspiration: – Through a knowledge rich ambitious curriculum and through annual visits to galleries and art exhibitions, we will raise the aspirations of our pupils by exposing them to a broad variety of career opportunities in the art industry and to show them what success looks like. We offer educational visits to creative workshops delivered by industry professionals within a HE environment thus giving the pupils opportunity to gain first-hand experience of post-16 education.
- Character building: – through encouragement and guidance pupils will develop an individual artistic style by adapting the work of an artist and developing ideas to influence their own creativity. Pupils will be challenged to evaluate and analyse creative works, push boundaries and have the opportunity to question art itself.
- Love learning: –pupils are encouraged to take risks and work independently to express their creativity which develops and sustains a love for learning and a sense of success in art. Pupils are exposed to a diverse range of artists and movements throughout history to capture their imagination, make connections, and to truly understand the art, craft and design industry as we strive for a lifelong love of art.
The Art Learning Journey
Art Knowledge Organisers
Autumn Term
Spring Term
Summer Term
Reading in Art
Reading in art is approached through exposing students to a variety of artist biographies, reports from art critics and challenging subject-specific vocabulary. Students will be encouraged to use correct artistic terminology when analysing their own work and the work of peers and artists.
Learning Beyond the Classroom in Art
Students will have the opportunity to experience an art gallery visit at KS3 which allows them to see traditional works of art but also more contemporary art of practising artists. At KS4, students can also take part in workshops lead by practitioners giving them experiences of the art industry at local galleries, colleges or inhouse. We hold an annual art exhibition where students across all year groups will have their artwork presented in a gallery-style space which allows students to experience a showcase of their best works.
