Art

(Key Stage 3)

Pupils explore ideas using a range of media and techniques. Each year pupils learn about the use of the Formal Elements - line, tone, colour, form, pattern, texture, composition and perspective. Pupils also look at the work of western and non-western artists. Homework is set termly following the themes covered in school. Pupils develop a range of new skills and techniques throughout each project.

Pupils' work is kept in folders and final pieces for each project may be 2D or 3D.

(Key Stage 4)

Art & Design (GCSE)

“Art & Design” is involved in nearly everything we see and use. It plays a part in a variety of jobs as well as being essential to the wide range of work in the Art & Design field itself. It influences all our lives either as individuals or members of the community, and as consumers .

How the course is organised:

Thematic Work - A range of opportunities exists for developing work from a particular theme using a range of media in two or three dimensions.

Expressive Work - will result from a pupil's emotional response to an idea, issue or theme.

Design Based Work - Work will be developed in response to a particular design brief. The work is likely to take into account issues such as function, the target audience and the practicality of the design solution.

All projects will be developed from research, observational drawing, explorations of media and reference to appropriate artists, designers or craftspeople.

GCSE Assessment

Students will be entered for GCSE Art & Design (Grades A* - G) and will need to fulfil the following requirements:

Paper 1: Coursework (60%)
Students must present two, three or four units of coursework (depending on quality and quantity) which together satisfy the requirements of the course. They will have help in making this selection and it is expected to be their best work. A unit of coursework shows evidence of 'preliminary work' (e.g. studies, notes, sketches, exploration of different ideas) and the production of a final piece (this work is presented in sketchbooks which can be bought from the Art Department).

Paper II: Controlled Test (40%)
Students will choose one subject/theme from a list set by the exam board. They will have time to prepare a 'preliminary studies/ideas' which they will use in the final exam (10 hours over 2 days).

BTEC First Certificate in Art & Design

BTEC First us a broadly based course designed to give pupils a good foundation for further training and employment. The course is closely linked to the application of Art and Design in the professional world.

3 units of study are completed during the 2 year course, 2 core units in Year 10 and 1 specialist unit in Year 11:

Unit 1 - 2D and 3D Visual Communication
Unit 1 - Contextual References in Art and Design
Unit 11 - Working with Visual Arts Briefs

Each unit is carefully structured and will give pupils a broad knowledge and understanding of both 2D and 3D techniques and processes. Each unit includes Case Studies, which are mini projects that are set as briefs, and 2 Assessment Projects. Homework will be set weekly and is fundamental to the development of each unit.

All units will be internally assessed through sketchbooks, homework and portfolio evidence. Pupils can achieve a pass, merit or distinction for the assessment tasks and at the end of the course all marks will be combined and an overall grade will be awarded.

Homework, Equipment and How Parents Can Help

For the GCSE and BTEC courses homework will support the class work. Homework is integral to the development of pupils' projects and will go towards their grades and marks. It is essential for pupils to have their own materials for use at home to support their homework studies, such as pencils, watercolours, coloured pencils, fineliner pens, glue, etc.

Key Stage 5

GCE Applied Art & Design

This is a broadly based course designed to give pupils a good foundation for further training and employment. The course is closely linked to the application of art and design in the professional world. Three units of study are completed during the first year leading to an AS award.

AS Unit 1 2D Visual Language
AS Unit 2 3D Visual Language
AS Unit 3 Working to a Brief

Three units are completed during the second year of study leading to a single award - one 'A' Level.

A2 Unit 7 Application and Development of 2D Visual Language
A2 Unit 8 Application and Development of 3D Visual Language
A2 Unit 9 Working to Self-identified Briefs

All units will be internally assessed through portfolio evidence. In addition all units may be externally moderated by AQA. Visits to local galleries and exhibitions are organised as an integral part of the course as well as annual visits to St Ives and London.

Students also have the opportunity to work with professional practitioners and therefore gain valuable experience of working life in the real world of art, craft and design.

Dance

(Key Stage 3)

Periods Per Week
Pupils have two periods of Dance a week in single sex groups taught as a 5 week block in rotation. Dance in years 7, 8 and 9 is taught in the PE Department.

Parental Support
Parents can help by ensuring that pupils bring kit and encourage participation in extra-curricular activities.

Extra-curricular Activities
Wednesday
'Shooting Stars', (Waterleat Road Centre) Auditions held each term

Mondays 3 - 4.15pm, Borough Road Centre
'Attitude' Dance Company. Entry by audition only. Auditions held in September and April.

GCSE Dance will give you the opportunity to acquire skills in a new art form and widen your understanding of dance and its many forms.

Dance will enable you to interpret images/ideas/concepts within a group and develop independent study skills.

Dance can be defined as the study of practical, theoretical and creative skills within the art form.

You will:

Examples of Study Areas:

• Modern
  Jazz
  Contemporary
  Post Modern

• Professional Dance Works
• Professional Dance Companies
• Good Studio Practice
• Health, Safety and Injury Prevention for the Dancer
• Dance Performance

Documents are in PDF Format. If you don't have a .pdf reader get one free here >>Adobe PDF Reader<<

AS and A2 Level Drama Leaflet 200 :: Download Information Here>>

BTEC National Award in Dance Leaflet 2008 :: Download Here>>

BTEC National Certificate in Production Arts Leaflet :: Download Here>>

(BTEC FIRST CERTIFICATE) 

Dance is taught as an art form at Key stage 4. The BTEC First Certificate in dance is a practical dance course. You learn by completing projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands.

 A BTEC First Certificate is equivalent to two GCSEs grades A* - C and can be studied alongside other subjects. The course is delivered over 180 guided learning hours – equal to three lessons a week for two years.

 The course is made up of three units - one core unit and two specialist units. The specialist units enable you to study particular areas in more depth. You will have the opportunity to go and watch live dance and musicals at the theatre and take part in professional workshops.

CORE UNIT
Performing Dance

SPECIALIST UNITS - two from the following

CORE UNIT PERFORMING DANCE

In this unit you rehearse and perform choreographed dance pieces. It will enable you demonstrate different styles of dance in short performances.  

SPECIALIST UNITS  

Jazz Dance You will perform a range of work demonstrating an understanding of Jazz dance styles and techniques.

Contemporary Dance This unit is about developing dance technique in one contemporary dance style. You will take regular technique classes and demonstrate you skills in performance pieces

Understanding Dance You will study dance practitioners across a range of dance styles and analyse professional dance works by different companies/choreographers. You will also learn about dance conventions, choreography and dance anatomy.

Musical Theatre You will study the use of dance and techniques in both Broadway and West End Musicals. You will learn dance repertoire and perform pieces from a range of musical theatre styles.

 ASSESSMENT

The work will be both practical and written. Homework will be set in both areas. All units are assessed and graded using pass, merit and distinction and an overall grade for the qualification is awarded.

 WHERE COULD YOU GO NEXT?

You could progress onto the BTEC National Award in Dance Level 3 and/or A level performing Arts or other Arts subjects in the sixth form. Students with further training go into careers in Dance and the Performing Arts industries such as – theatre, television, choreography, arts administration. Careers in teaching, physiotherapy, journalism, and retail are also possibilities. Dance gives you skills to communicate and express yourself which are needed for all careers dealing with the public.  

Head of Dance: Mrs S Dale

Music

Music (Key Stage 3)
Topics covered in Years 7, 8 and 9 include:

Periods per week
Students in Years 7 receive through Fabulous Fridays.
Students in Year 8 receive 1 hour per week.
Students in Year 9 receive 2 hours per week for 3 weeks as part of the Music & Art, Drama programme each term.

Parental Support
Parents can help by encouraging students to attend individual instrumental lessons, extra curricular bands/choirs.

Extra-curricular Activities

Music (BTEC First Certificate in Music)

BTEC First Certificate in Music is equivalent to 2 GCSEs, A*-C. The course is delivered in 3 units in the form of assignment based projects. It is a vocational course that gives students the opportunity to study music and music technology using a wide range of skills.

Unit 1 - Planning & Creating a Music Product

Unit 2 - Working as a Musical Ensemble

Unit 3 - Solo Musical Performance

The course is assessed through continuous coursework.

Teacher of Music: Mrs J Garner

Head of Creative & Expressive Art: Mrs S Dale