Art, Design & Technology

Art, Design & Technology Department

Art

Curriculum Content

Year 7

KS3 focuses on sketch, colour, painting and clay work. Students are introduced to the skills required to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. The curriculum links to artists, architects and designers who have created huge impacts on the world we live in.

Year 8

As Year 7.

Year 9

The curriculum builds on students’ knowledge from KS3 and introduces a range of methods such as screen printing and creative textiles.Students are introduced to a mini coursework-based project that involves research, trialing, development work and evaluation. They will develop the skills required to produce their own portfolios of work.

Year 10

This year focuses on two key projects for students to demonstrate their critical thinking and development work. Students are given the opportunity to develop their own styles of work whilst taking inspiration from key artists and designers.

Year 11

Students continue to develop their own artistic style applying their skill from all previous years. This year has a large focus on completing their portfolio of artwork and projects.

Curriculum Approach

The course is designed to specifically allow students to develop knowledge and understanding through a variety of learning experiences and approaches including engagement with sources. This will allow them to develop the skills to explore, create and communicate their own ideas.

Phase of Education Specific Requirements

Courses available to pupils at key stage 4, including GCSEs:

  • AQA Art and Design

Find Out More

To find out more about the independent tasks for KS3, please refer to the Realsmart portfolios. Here you will also find more details about end of unit assessments and the criteria that we use to assess student progress. Alternatively, please contact the head of department or your child’s class teacher.

Future Careers

Art and design can lead you to many jobs within art and design such as: fine artist, art therapist, art gallery curator, art teacher or lecturer, technician, art values, illustrator. It can also be linked to other industries such as architecture, fashion, media, film and theatre.

Design & Technology

Curriculum Content 

Year 7

KS3 focuses on developing the skills of creating initial ideas and making them into 3-Dimensional pieces.The curriculum links to locality, environment and employment opportunities. Students design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts. Through research, design and evaluation students develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.

Year 8

As Year 7.

Year 9

Students build on their knowledge of design and skills from previous years. Students will apply their basic understanding and skills from KS3 and are encouraged to critically think for themselves and develop their own designs for a specific brief that incorporates, wood, plastic, metal, CAD and CAM. Projects are taught through coursework style approaches that include research, specification writing, initial idea developing, modelling, making and evaluating.

Year 10

Students are given the opportunities to develop their own style of work whilst taking inspiration from key designers. This year the focus is directed to two key projects for the students to demonstrate their critical thinking and development work.

Year 11

Students continue to develop their own styles of design, applying their skills they have learnt throughout their time during KS3 & 4. This year has a large focus on completing the portfolio of design work followed by the 10-hour independent exam.

Curriculum Approach

The course is designed to specifically allow students to develop knowledge and understanding through a variety of learning experiences and approaches, including engagement with sources. This will allow them to develop the skills to explore, create and communicate their own ideas.

KS3 – Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum – termly assessment

KS4 – 1-9 termly assessment

Phase of Education Specific Requirements

Courses available to pupils at key stage 4, including GCSEs

  • AQA Design and Technology
  • AQA Art and Design: 3-Dimensional Design

Find Out More

To find out more about the independent tasks for KS3, please refer to the Realsmart portfolios. Here you will also find more details about end of unit assessments and the criteria that we use to assess student progress. Alternatively, please contact the head of department or your child’s class teacher.

Future Careers

Careers linked to design and technology include: engineers, architect, animator, carpenter, product designer, CAD Designer.

Art, Design and Technology Learning Journey

We equip students with the skills and experiences during their time at school, to be able to progress to Further and Higher Education and ultimately be able to pursue a career within the Design and Technology sector. 

View our Design and Technology Learning Journey.

Photography

Curriculum Content 

Year 7

N/A

Year 8

N/A

Year 9

The curriculum enables students to take part in mini coursework-based projects that include research, trialing, development work and evaluating. Students will be engaged, inspired and challenged to take inspiration from current and past photographers to think critically and develop their own styles of work as they produce a well-developed portfolio.

Year 10

This year will focus in two key projects for students to demonstrate their critical thinking and development work. Students are given the opportunity to develop their own style of work whilst taking inspiration from key photographers and artists. A final piece is based on their individual take on a set brief. 

Year 11

Students will continue to develop their own artistic style applying their skills from all previous years. This year has a large focus on completing their portfolio of artwork and projects.

Curriculum Approach

The course is designed to specifically allow students to develop knowledge and understanding through a variety of learning experiences and approaches, including engagement with sources. This will allow them to develop the skills to explore, create and communicate their own ideas.

Phase of Education Specific Requirements

Courses available to pupils at key stage 4, including GCSEs:

  • AQA Art and Design – Photography

Find Out More

To find out more about the independent tasks for KS3, please refer to the Realsmart portfolios. Here you will also find more details about end of unit assessments and the criteria that we use to assess student progress. Alternatively, please contact the head of department or your child’s class teacher.

Future Careers

Careers linked to photography include: photographer, graphic designer, magazine editor, medical illustrator, television camera operator, advertising, digital marketing, film director, film editor, media planned, multi edit specialist.

Photography Learning Journey

We equip students with the skills and experiences during their time at school, to be able to progress to Further and Higher Education and ultimately be able to pursue a career within Photography. 

View our Photography Learning Journey.

Clubs and Activities

  • STEM Club for Key Stage 3 – Topics ranging from the science of photography to air powered rockets. Thursday lunchtimes. This club has designed and made props for a Hall for Cornwall production.
  • Art Club – Years 7 and 8 Wednesday day lunchtime and after school.
  • Art Club – Years 9, 10 and 11 – Thursday & Friday lunchtimes and Thursday after school.
  • STEM challenge days – Challenges that are against other schools in the county.
  • Electronics, Product Design & Resistant Materials – Years 9, 10 and 11 – Catch up Sessions – Thursday and Friday Lunchtimes.