Art

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Art Curriculum Intent

“In Visual Arts we feel that the exploration of a variety media and techniques is paramount to students’ experience of art and the way they physically engage with the visual world."

Pupils are taught to use artists, craftspeople, designers and a variety of resources to develop themes and ideas for their work.

We aim to craft an environment where our students grow in confidence to make their own creative decisions independently, both in school and at home.”

Full curriculum information for every subject studied at The Macclesfield Academy can be downloaded here

For more details about the Art curriculum, please email emily.underhill@macclesfieldacademy.org

In Visual Arts we feel that the exploration of a variety media and techniques is paramount to students’ experience of art and the way they physically engage with the visual world.  Pupils are taught to use artists, craftspeople, designers and a variety of resources to develop themes and ideas for their work.

We aim to craft an environment where our students grow in confidence to make their own creative decisions independently, both in school and at home.

Through practising drawing and by learning how to use and control lots of different materials, pupils will be well-equipped to apply the different techniques and skills they have learnt to other pieces of work, within future projects and beyond, helping them to recall ideas and processes and to independently make creative decisions based on this prior learning.

Key Stage 3

In Years 7, 8 & 9 pupils will experiment with a range of two and three dimensional work, using traditional techniques and media such as drawing, painting and printmaking, in conjunction with construction using wire, card and the development of textured surfaces.  Themes and topics are constantly evolving in response to our artistic influences and current affairs.  We hope to attract increasing numbers of pupils to one or both of our popular and successful GCSE courses.

GCSE Art & Design (Fine Art; AQA)

We choose to deliver the Fine Art specification at GCSE as this allows us to lead students’ exploration using a diverse range of media and skills.  Progress from Key Stage 3 is developed through more in-depth evaluation and refinement of techniques as well as allowing opportunities to explore greater range of materials.  More challenging topics are approached, and personalisation of outcomes becomes increasingly important.

GCSE Art & Design (Photography; AQA)

For students choosing GCSE Photography a variety of project themes are explored to gradually introduce technical camera use; digital Photoshop or manual editing skills; compositional devices and concept-based topics.  These are approached in relation to photographers and artists to support the development of projects.  The analysis of others’ work to generate and support project ideas is highly important, especially when the personalisation of outcomes starts to be introduced.  Throughout the year students’ work becomes gradually more driven by their own interests and skill set.

At a glance, our projects this year will be:

  • Year 7 – An Introduction to the Elements of Art; Architecture; Typography (3D); Imagined Creatures
  • Year 8 – Still Life (Everyday Objects); Landscape; Abstraction (Colour and Shape)
  • Year 9 – Experimental Portraiture; Maps (3D); Maps – Extended (printmaking)
  • GCSE Art, Year 10 – Still Life (natural forms); Into the Deep part one (printmaking); Abandoned Architecture
  • Year 11 – Mock exam-style unit (Structure and Form or Everyday Objects); Externally Set Assignment.
  • GCSE Photography – Still Life (natural forms);  City; Transform; Altered Portraits.
  • Year 11 – City; Mock exam-style unit (Movement or Out of Place); Externally Set Assignment.

Extra-curricular

GCSE pupils have open-house access to the department on specific days after school  (3.15 -4.15) as part of their homework expectations.
Key Stage 3 pupils are also welcome to use the  department facilities and materials on these days.

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