The intent of our Art, Craft & Design Curriculum is to enrich you as a person, build your confidence and help you view the world from a more considered perspective. At Victory we believe the arts are for everyone and through our challenging yet inclusive curriculum we want to provide a happy space for students to engage with creativity, problem solving and cultural thinking.
We recognise the value of creativity in students’ future work life and the joy and satisfaction it brings to students and their community. Art, Craft and Design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. A high-quality creative education should engage, inspire and challenge students, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. Students follow the National Curriculum throughout their creative journey.
Skills and knowledge are taught through a broad range of exciting projects that are sequenced to develop a wide range of skills at KS3 and an opportunity to refine and personalise these into KS4 & KS5. Lessons are engaging and students develop a love of the arts throughout their learning. Students are empowered to develop their own creative journey and with the support of their teachers take ownership through independent, personal and exciting projects that demonstrate their skills and passions.
We encourage individual thinking, considered observation, creative making and experimental expression. We equip students with the practical skills and the creative thinking and questioning that allows them to apply their understanding of the world around them.
We believe the arts are critical to forming well rounded and cultured individuals. As pupils progress, they should be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of Art, Craft and Design and how this reflects and shapes our history, and contributes to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation. Through our Art History programme and the space we provide for students to challenge, discuss and evaluate their culture and that of others we build confident students engaged with their world. We provide opportunities for students to visit galleries & museums, take part in group exhibitions and showcase their own work.
We have developed exciting links with local galleries and higher education institutions such as the Sainsbury Centre and Norwich University of the Art who support our students with many opportunities such as visits, workshops, portfolio preparation and talks.
In Key Stage 3 we follow the National Curriculum for Art and Design. for Art and Design. In Year 7, students will study Art and Textiles for two hours a fortnight across the year and will rotate between Catering, DT Product Design and DT Electronics on a half termly basis. In Year 8, students will rotate between Art, Photography, Textiles, Catering and DT Product Design and DT Engineering. In Year 9, students will rotate between Art, Photography, Textiles, Catering and DT Product Design and DT Engineering Manufacturing.
In Year 7 Art, students will explore both Portraiture and Architecture. They will be introduced to a range of Art techniques including drawing, painting and printmaking. Students will develop their understanding of the formal elements which include colour, tone and line as well as proportion. Students will develop a greater understanding of Art over time through their Art History sessions which will also expand their vocabulary and analytical skills.
In Year 8 Art, students will refine their drawing and develop their 3D skills within their sculpture project exploring the natural environment. They will draw from life and further develop their use of line, tone and mark-making. They will observe shapes in 3D form and develop their haptic observational skills. They will explore natural form through print, carving and sculpture; exploring shape, form and composition.
Students will develop a greater understanding of Art over time through their Art History sessions which will also expand their vocabulary and analytical skills. In Year 9 Art, students will explore Natural Forms through 2D and 3D exploration They will continue to refine a range of Art, Craft and Design techniques including drawing, painting and ceramics. Students will develop their carving and clay skills to create 3D outcomes. Students will develop a greater understanding of Art over time through their Art History sessions which will also expand their vocabulary and analytical skills.
Creative thinking and expression are incredibly important skills. Arts and culture now contribute £101.5 billion directly to the UK economy each year and experts believe that creativity will survive the automation revolution. Film, gaming and TV are just a handful of industries that rely on artistic talent. It is a subject that breeds independence, confidence, resilience and an appreciation that any question may have multiple solutions.
Art, Craft & Design is about exploring an idea in a creative way and learning how to express it in order to create an original outcome. Within the GCSE students will explore a range of key skills, such as, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, 3D work and digital arts. They will develop an understanding of Art by looking at and responding to artists, ranging from traditional to contemporary artists. As the course develops, students will become more independent and have the opportunity to choose which direction their work goes in.
Assessment:
In Component 1 (Coursework 60%) students will research and investigate sources of ideas in Art, Craft & Design. They will explore and use Art, Craft & Design material and techniques to develop visual language. Students will complete a portfolio or sketchbook demonstrating their creative journey. This should be evidence of the process of developing both ideas and work. It should demonstrate research, supporting studies and work, showing the development of their ideas, leading to finished pieces.
In Component 2 (Exam 40%), the exam board provides students with a theme for their exam. Students are given a number of weeks to develop ideas and prepare. Students sit a 10-hour exam in Year 11 in which they produce their final outcome.
Progression and Careers:
Students may go on to study A level Art or a similar appropriate qualification. Students could go into higher education or study a hands-on apprenticeship. The options available for students with a creative background is ever growing with the new technologies available. Go to the Student Art Guide website to view a list of over 150 careers, with 25 examples showcased in detail:
https://www.studentartguide.com/articles/art-careers-list
This is a broad-based course that provides flexibility in content and approach. Students studying Art, Craft and Design explore practical and critical/contextual work through a range of 2D and/or 3D processes and media throughout the earlier stages of their personal investigation and include evidence of working with a range of processes and media. Students research and learn from a wide range of artists, designers, photographers, architects and makers. They develop a range of new skills and begin to refine their skills and techniques. As the course progresses students create exciting personal outcomes supported with a portfolio of developmental work.
GCSE Art and Photography Exhibition 2021
GCSE Art and Photography Exhibition 2020
GCSE Art and Photography Exhibition 2020 (part 2)