Aim

• Provide the opportunity to be creative, innovative and cultural 
• To learn about and make appropriate choices with the use of materials, techniques and processes (including new technologies)
• To develop students’ enjoyment of artistic activities
• To build on students’ strengths, interests and experiences
• To help promote analytical and enquiring minds
• To help develop the ability to solve problems

Topics covered

The curriculum in Art in Year 8 follows art movements and looks at two different artistic movements to cover a wide range of skills and knowledge. Themes in Pop Art and Landscape Drawing and Painting look at a number of art movements to enable students to develop and understand how and why work was created, how they can use these skills and apply them to their own work and how research is a crucial part of making sense of Art, creativity and understanding a wider context in the world today.

Teaching groups

The groups are with us for one hour per week for half of the year, then move on to a further creative subject. These groups are kept to a maximum of 24 students in each group.

Assessment

The mark scheme runs from entry level grades followed by 1-9. This relates to the marking scheme for GCSE and ensures all students are making linear progress. The expected levels in Year 8 can be between EL1–Level 4. We use a “passport” system to monitor the progress of key accountable outcomes for students. We use observational drawing to start with, followed by a grade and feedback on the project for that term, reflected in the data. Students always get a great deal in the form of verbal feedback from staff and peers each lesson.

How to support at home

• Ensure homework, when set, is completed to the best of the student’s ability and is handed in on time
• Provide the necessary materials (2B pencil and coloured pencils)
• Ask questions about the project and how they could improve their homework

Click here to visit the AQ website for further information on the exam board.