Subjects > Art and Design > KS3 (Year 7/8/9)
Year 7
In Year 7 pupils are taught in mixed ability form groups. Primary levels of art education vary considerably and the course therefore seeks to establish as quickly as possible the strengths and weaknesses of each individual. Basically, all pupils will experience a wide variety of activities, both theoretical/historical and practical. These activities will include the following:
- making a visual journal (construction, design and collage);
- a variety of media and technical experiences;
- observational drawing/recording;
- imaginative work;
- writing about their understanding of art work and expressing their own opinions;
- research;
- clay modelling;
- plaster carving;
- montage and large scale paper sculpture.
Year 8
The Year 8 course provides opportunities to practise and further develop skills acquired in Year 7. It also introduces new areas of experience and related techniques and skills.
The range of activities includes:
- observational drawing/recording;
- use of IT software;
- research;
- imaginative work;
- use of spray/stencil;
- compositional techniques;
- pointillism;
- mixed-media sculpture;
- analytical studies;
- natural forms;
- slide making;
- stained-glass or light box design and construction;
- clay tile design and glazing.
Year 9
The Year 9 course provides the conceptual, historical and practical platform for GCSE courses. Its projects are longer and in greater depth. It consists of 2 major projects; Abstraction and Applied Design. In the Abstraction project pupils will:
- study a range of artists and their specific techniques;
- paint using a colour system;
- invent their own Op Art design;
- make an abstract sculpture.
In the Applied Design project pupils will:
- look at the inter-relatedness of the arts;
- illustrate a song lyric, poem or novel extract;
- analyse the design concept of CD/record sleeves and design their own.