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Secondary Phase

Art at Trinity Secondary School

The curriculum ensures all pupils have an ability to understand and analyse art, and engage with cultural capital within the same field. All pupils develop a range of core skills, with a focus on drawing and painting, which enables them to develop creative outcomes and develop a visual language with which to express themselves. At KS3 we follow the national curriculum, and scaffold our teaching to meet the aims of the GCSE Fine Arts curriculum. The GCSE Assessment objectives can be applied to a KS3 level, as they outline the skills to be a successful and expressive artist. We ensure that we cover all areas of the GCSE assessment objectives at KS3, which are research, developing an idea, use of media, and final outcomes. These aims allow all students to understand the creative process and start to develop their own arts practice. The aim of this structure is to allow all pupils the skills and confidence to continue to develop their work even if they do not choose art as a GCSE subject. This continues for all students at year 9, through a program which is implemented through the personal development days and character charter activities, which include activities such as going to the Tate, and workshops delivered in context to the themes delivered during those days. Although not taught in lessons, this is part of our wider curriculum. For pupils who choose GCSE art, we work with implementing the gradual release model and developing mastery with chosen fine art techniques, which pupils develop into outcomes following the format laid out by AQA. The KS3 curriculum leads onto the KS4 curriculum, however it also empowers all pupils to engage with the subject further into secondary school.   

Fine Art

AQA GCSE

Fine Art is a way to refine your art techniques and learn how to develop a piece of original artwork by researching the work of other artists.  It can help you with further study and prepare you for the world of work. Have a look at our department Instagram account @trinity_art department to see some  fantastic work being completed.

DO choose GCSE Art if you:

  • Are passionate about developing your artwork
  • Are willing to work in a range of new medias
  • Want to develop technical drawing and art analysis skills
  • Like to analyse and research the work of other artists

 DO NOT choose GCSE Art if you:

  • Do not want to do draw or paint
  • Are not actually interested in doing art!
  • Only want to work in a certain style. You will be working from topics set in class with materials developed in the lessons. You have to be willing to learn new skills and techniques.

Programme of study

Portfolio work - 60%

Final Exam - 40%

The portfolio work will be created in year 9, 10 and the first term of year 11. You will work on 2 projects in this time. The portfolio mark will account for 60% of your final grade. Everything you complete counts towards your grade. It is important you always present your work neatly and put effort into each task. You will have homework that counts towards your coursework.

The exam will be 10 hours, spread over 2 days and sat at the end of year 11. You will have from the beginning of January to prepare for the exam and complete all your preparation work in your sketchbook. You will be given a range of themes/words by the AQA (the exam board) and you will have to select and investigate one of these for your exam work.

Year 9

Natural Forms : focusing on how to use colour and pattern to depict nature. We will study the work of artists and crafts people, and work in a variety of techniques to develop your skill level. Key skills developed in this unit are observational drawing, colour theory, watercolour painting and printmaking.  You will develop and complete an outcome based on the techniques developed in class.

Year 10

Architecture : you will explore location sketching, mix media work, collage, acrylic painting, printmaking, and mono-printing. We will complete trips to do observational work, collect first-hand references and learn from other artists' work. For example, we will visit the royal naval college, and the V&A museum to work from observation. You will complete a comprehensive body of work including research and analysis tasks.

Year 11

Abstract Texture : You will complete a series of media developments exploring this topic, further refine and develop by choosing a relevant artist to research, and complete a final outcome.

                                              

                                  

After the Christmas holidays you will be given the exam paper from AQA. You will then have to select from one of the themes given and begin your preparation work. Your final 10 hour exam will take place in the spring term. All work completed for this exam will count towards 40% of your final mark.

Art Knowledge organisers:
The art knowledge organisers have been designed to develop students' fluency when discussing and analysing work, and so that the content can be revised easily at home. Here is an example of a KS4 and KS3 knowledge organiser.

Curriculum Overview