Art

Vision

Learning through and about the arts enriches the experience of studying while at school as well as preparing students for life after school. Here at SMSJ the art room is a space where students have the freedom to express their ideas and thoughts and work creatively. During their time at SMSJ Students  learn to use a range of art mediums and processes both 2D and 3D. They are encouraged to work in a wide range of artistic styles and techniques and to experiment and take risks 

Students learn about the formal elements of art and how to use key art terms in order to talk and write about their work confidently and fluently. Students learn to analyse traditional and contemporary artists' work looking at the process, form, mood and content. They explore historic art movements as well as the world around them when seeking inspiration for their own artwork. Students are able to work within a theme and  learn how to use a sketchbook in order to document their creative journey, and develop their ideas towards a final piece 

Students are able to self and peer critique their work confidently and critically against success criteria in order to progress in their abilities and further develop their skills. The SMSJ art room is a collaborative space where students are encouraged to share ideas and experiences in order to enrich each other's work. 

KS3 homework is set regularly as an extension of classwork to prepare students for the independent practical work which will be required from them in Years 10 and 11. GCSE students are expected to commit to three hours of independent work outside of the classroom to ensure good progress is made in their practical portfolios.   

Wisdom

Students are academically educated to a high standard and we also pride ourselves in the way in which our pupils can apply their cognitive learning within the classroom to life outside of the classroom. Through their learning, they are  shaped in a way which enables them to deal with the world and those around them with empathy, sympathy and respect. 

Service

Engagement with the arts at SMSJ helps our young people to develop a sense of their own identity and value. Studying art enables our students to develop an appreciation of difference and diversity and the views of others.This, in turn, develops personal responsibility within the school and wider community.  

Hope

At SMSJ we believe that Arts and cultural learning is more important than ever for the health of our communities and our society. Creativity is essential in a global economy that needs a workforce that is knowledgeable, imaginative and innovative. Our curriculum gives the next generation of artists, designers and creators the opportunity to develop the imagination and skills that are vital to our future.

KS3

Year 7

Students are introduced to the formal elements of Art, they learn how to create the formal elements using different mediums - paint, pencil, fine-liner; and understand through discussions how they can be used in combination to create a piece of art both 2D and 3D. Students then look more closely at colour and the theory of colour, they are able to understand how to mix their colours (primary/secondary/tertiary) and learn how to create a range of tones with their paints (tints/hues/tones/shades) and learn how colours work together when combined in an image (complementary/harmonious/warm/cool) Students develop their painting skills and use of the paintbrush by practicing to blend paint and creating textures and marks and applying them to an artwork. Students begin to explore clay in a short 3D project where they create their own pot after analysing the work of ceramicist Kate Malone. To finish the year, pupils explore the concept of identity and create a mask inspired by cultures and festivals around the world.  

Year 8

Students learn how to use the gridding technique to create an accurately proportioned image that is doubled in scale. They develop their tonal skills using both pencil and colouring pencils. Students are then introduced to artists who use their work to make a statement. They learn to analyse a number of  artworks using form/mood/process/content/context. Students then develop their own design compositions in the style of the artists they have studied; this piece must show an understanding of the art movement/ artists intentions. Students experiment with a range of printing techniques and their final designs are realised using the relief printing method. Lastly, students explore sustainable art and architecture in a 3D collaborative project.  

Year 9  

Students start by working on the theme of Still life, exploring both traditional and modern art in the category. They learn deeper painting skills using acrylics and create 3D sculptures. Students then move on to explore Dadaism and Surrealism and the history surrounding it and how it has influences on contemporary art today. Finally, they extend their observational drawing skills through a large scale self-portrait over a number of lessons where they learn about the proportions of the face. This study gives them the opportunity to develop their tonal work and work on their refinement and use of detail and realism. Students create a presentation on a portrait artist of their choice. Students analyse and respond to the artist showing an understanding of their style and intention. Students consider how art can be used as a visual metaphor by investigating abstract and contemporary artists who represent identity in different forms.  

KS4

Year 10-11

Students will spend the first year and a half of their GCSE Completing component 1 - Personal portfolio, worth 60% of the overall GCSE grade. The personal portfolio consists of two practical projects - African Art and Surfaces. Students create a body of practical and written work that fulfils the following Assessment objectives : 

• Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources

• Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes

• Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses 

Students complete a Mock exam at the end of each project in order to create a final piece of art work to fulfil the fourth assessment objective: 

• Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language 

During the Spring term of Year 11 students begin component 2 - the externally set assignment. This takes the form of a themed project and is worth  40% of the final GCSE grade. The Art GCSE culminates  in a 10 hour period of sustained study, sat in exam conditions. Here students make a final piece of work for their externally set assignment. 

Road Maps

Concept Maps