Art

Overview

Art aims for students to have a broad awareness of different artistic genres, processes, techniques and materials, building skills at each Key Stage to develop visual, verbal and written communication accordingly. We provide an inclusive environment that encourages experimentation and exploration, allowing students to learn from their mistakes and reflect on their practice. Students investigate a broad range of artistic genres from Art History to encourage a deeper awareness of artistic styles and respond to the world around them.    All students study Art in KS3..  Fine Art is available as an option subject at GCSE and A Level.  All students studying Art at Bourne Grammar School have careers in Art embedded into their lessons through curriculum links or homework tasks.

Year 7

Students begin with the topic Basic Skills to build on their knowledge of the Formal Elements.  Students explore different techniques and processes in colour, using African Kente cloths as the inspiration for pattern and texture.  The study of Colour and Pop Art in Term 2 focusses on meaning and symbolism in popular packaging and the work of Pop Artists such as Richard Hamilton, Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein inspire both  sculptural and 2D.   Later in the year, students a Nature project that includes the study of botanical illustration. An investigation of pattern, colour and line in the work of artist Georgia O'Keeffe enables students to work independently on their own botanical-inspired outcome at the end of the year.

Year 8

The study of Perspective enables students to build on foundational skills learnt in Year 7 through line and tone.  Looking at the work of artist Stephen Wiltshire and the pen and ink studies of Chinese watercolour paintings allow for experimentation and a quicker style of working.    A focus on Portraiture through artists such as Rembrandt van Rijn and Kathe Kollwitz develops knowledge of chiaroscuro and expressionism.  Students later explore the work of Pablo Picasso and the influence of African masks on his Cubist portraits.  The topic Still Life and using the Rule of Thirds to establish focal points in photography and painting forms the focus for the final project in Year 8.   This is developed further through written and practical research on the artist Paul Cezanne and a final, Post-Impressionistic outcome at the end of the year.

Year 9

Students produce work on two major projects that prepare them for the Edexcel GCSE Fine Art specification in Year 10. The study of Abstract Art enables exploration of materials, techniques and processes relating to the work of Henri Matisse, Bridget Riley, Wassily Kandinsky and Beatriz Milhazes.   Students research each artist in depth and analyse their work to produce a final large scale creative outcome.  The study of Identity later in Year 9 provides the opportunity for students to research an area of social, moral, cultural or emotional meaning personal to themselves.  Here, the work of artists such as Claudette Johnson and Noah Davis form the basis of a more independent project through the further investigation of taught techniques.

Years 10 and 11

Students follow the Edexcel GCSE Fine Art specification (1FA0), full details are available here. The course focusses on supporting creativity, expression and building independence through the development of ideas and technical skills.  Fine Art GCSE is 60% course work and 40% external exam, both of which are assessed in the same way and include a ten-hour external assessment in which students produce a final outcome.  As part of the course, students study a range of artists and careers links are embedded into the curriculum.

Years 12 and 13

Students follow the Edexcel Fine Art (9FA0) specification, full details are available here. The course is structured in a similar way to the GCSE: 60% is coursework and 40% is an externally set exam which includes a 15-hour period of sustained focus to produce a final outcome. Students develop their independent research and present a 3000 word Personal Project showing analysis and investigation on an individual area of study and accompanying practical work.  Technical lessons, school visits, careers advise and portfolio design aim to prepare students for further study of Fine Art or an art related subject in Further or Higher Education.