At St Edward’s, our Art & Design curriculum will equip our students with the skills to think creatively, analytically and reflectively. Students develop problem solving skills alongside manipulative skills, independence and resilience.

Curriculum Intent

In Art & Design we have built a curriculum that has the creative process at its heart. We want our students to develop an art language which allows them to make discoveries, solve problems and make mistakes. We seek to foster an awareness and understanding of the wider world through art. We value and encourage experimentation and reflection.

In each year at St Edward's, students will learn about Art through the creative process. The curriculum is action-based, students develop practical skills through handling and manipulating materials, media, tools and technologies exploring a range of specialist areas including, drawing, painting, printmaking, mixed media, sculpture and photography.

Artistic skills are developed through creating Art, talking about art and understanding how and why art is created. Students develop an awareness and understanding of the wider world through art.

They explore issues of social justice through art including opportunities to explore spiritual, moral and social issues, reflecting our school ethos.

As Art & Design teachers, we love and practice our subject, we hope to give our students the skills and desire to engage with and practice art, craft and design throughout their lives.

Course Contact

Mrs Melanie Biggs
Art & Design Subject Leader

Key Stage Three

At Key Stage Three students will develop their skills through the exploration of a variety of different themes and starting points, varying in length from extended to short projects. They will develop both practical and analytical skills whilst studying a range of different artists and practitioners from different time periods and from different cultures. They will consider why artists create art and have the opportunity to explore and discuss how artists create work to communicate or raise awareness of moral and social issues.

In Year 7 students will develop core skills in drawing, mark making, 3D making, colour mixing and painting before studying various aspects of both traditional and contemporary Japanese art from printmaking to Manga.

In Year 8 students will explore how Artists are Inspired by Nature through the work of artists such as Peter Randall Page, Georgia O’Keeffe, William Morris, as well as through Mehndi. They will also study the anti-war painting Guernica and the theme of portraiture.

In Year 9 students will study African Art, through an understanding of traditions such as masks and textile design alongside contemporary artists. They will then create their own work in response to their research. Students will also explore the theme of Identity, experimenting with a range of media and exploring how art can be used to raise awareness of social issues and bring about social change.

Key Stage Four

Art allows students to develop manipulative skills using a range of media, alongside problem solving and creative thinking. An independent approach to learning enables students to make full use of their class time and a motivated attitude to home learning gives students further opportunities to develop skills and explore ideas. A portfolio of work is selected from all work produced during the GCSE course. During the course students will have the opportunity to experience a wide range of materials and techniques such as drawing and painting, printmaking, photography and three-dimensional work. An important requirement of the course is that the student demonstrates an awareness of Art outside the classroom in its historical, cultural and contemporary contexts. Therefore, it is hoped that a student will have the opportunity to see work first hand during the course.

The GCSE course in art & design is assessed on a portfolio of coursework completed during Years 10 and 11 and a final externally set assignment in Year 11. There is no written exam for this subject.

Portfolio of work - 60% of total marks

A portfolio of coursework will be selected from work undertaken during the course and will show the development of at least two themes from observational studies and sketches through to concluding pieces of work. There is no limit to the number of pieces of work the portfolio may contain.

Externally set assignment - 40% of total marks

Assignment papers are issued in the spring term of Year 11 and students select one question to explore. Students will have a period of preparation time to prepare preliminary studies. A ten-hour period of supervised time will be allocated in which to produce their concluding piece of work.

Key Stage Five

Choosing Art and Design will give you the opportunity to further your interest and skills in this subject. You will have the opportunity to explore your ideas in a more personal way than at GCSE level and to spend more time in developing practical techniques. Trips are organised to provide you with the opportunity of studying artwork first-hand.

Learn more

Future Pathways

A GCSE in art & design can lead on to A level art & design, BTEC art courses or courses in Photography or Textiles. The creative thinking, aesthetic awareness and manipulative skills are also beneficial to a diverse range of jobs and training. Many of our students, post A Level, go on to a one-year foundation course which leads to a wide range of creative degrees and industries such as illustration, model making, fashion, make up for film or television, architecture, fine art, or photography. Other students have gone on to courses and careers as diverse as Criminology, Paramedic, Accountant or Law!

Student Destinations

Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media (One year course that allows students to explore creative areas before selecting their creative degree)

The University of Edinburgh - BA Hons Film and Television

Arts University Bournemouth - BA Hons Modelmaking

Falmouth University - BA Hons Interior Architecture

Arts University Bournemouth - BA Hons Animation Production

Nottingham Trent University - BA Hons Textile Design

Student Testimonials

"I love art, you get to be yourself and try new styles every lesson. It gives others a different point of view of what you like and how you see paintings. It is a relaxing but creative skill, I love that everyone is good at it but in their own way."

Amelia, KS3 Art & Design student

"I love getting the opportunity to discover new techniques and ways of making art."

Lilia, KS4 Art & Design student

"I really enjoy the range of techniques and media introduced to us that I wouldn’t have even thought about. Everyone on the course has taken their own unique route with art and are still supported and encouraged equally."

Tash, KS5 Art & Design student

"At St Edward’s art is much more than just paint and paper, it’s the future. Many use the skills taught in art in their everyday lives and become individuals in the way they desire, due to the freedom it gives you. This subject is very important and meaningful to me."

Valerija, KS5 Art student