Graphics

Curriculum Intent

In Graphics students explore visual communication through brief based projects, developing solutions to real world problems using creative and imaginative practices.

In Graphics we aim to develop students’ creativity, independence and cultural capital. We equip them with the practical skills and critical understanding of the context of graphic artworks so that they can effectively use visual language.

We employ a range of pedagogical approaches and support to address the needs of all students, adapting our curriculum to meet their needs so they can effectively explore their world and fully realising their creative potential. We succeed in doing this by providing every student with a safe space to explore their creativity and individuality. We have a rich and broad curriculum investigating practitioners from a range of cultures that explore a variety of styles and themes from GCSE to A Level.

We explore Graphics connections throughout society especially it links to literature, Media and Art. We focus on evolving students’ creative thinking skills so that they can develop, experiment and record their observations, reflecting in a meaning full way on their work. We understand that there are a broad range of pathways linked to the creative industries but aim to give students the skills so that they are prepared for the next stage of their life.

A Level: Years 12 and 13

Exam Board: AQA

The A level Art course comprises of two parts.

A Personal investigation (which includes 1 project and is worth 60% of their final mark)
Externally Set assignment (Which is worth 40% of the final marks).

Year 12

In Year 12 students will develop 1 Project over the year. There will be continual assessment throughout course using the exam boards’ assessment objectives – Develop, Refine, Present and Record. Students will also be expected to investigate galleries independently in their free time to further their projects and gain better understanding of artist’s work.

Personal Investigation
- Students will start the curse refining their understanding of a range of art techniques and exploring new materials so that they have a confident skill level and knowledge to pull from when exploring their chosen themes.

In Year 12 students will undertake The Personal Investigation, this takes the form of one project.

Students can independently decide on their personal briefs for each project with support from the teaching staff.
There are no restrictions on the paths that may be followed if the syllabus objectives are addressed as part of the process.
During this time students will use the skills and knowledge they have acquired from Year 7 to year 11 and further refine and develop these skills to confidently realise their intentions.
In both projects’ students learn to show their development of ideas this includes an ability to research a range of artists and designers’ work, analysing their processes and using the knowledge gained to influence and inspire their own work.
Students also refine the ability to experiment with a range of ideas and materials that are appropriate to their chosen theme, reviewing and refining their work purposefully. Students will practice and refine their skills with previously explored materials but also explore new materials and ways of working.
Students further develop their ability to record their ideas and reflect critically on their work and progress. They will have the chance to refine their current skill set and develop new skills depending on their project.
Finally, they must have the ability to create a personal and imaginative final realisation that makes connections between their work and other artists. Student’s practical outcomes can take the form of a range of final realisations that can include paintings, sculptures, printmaking, photography, textiles, multimedia pieces and digital work.
Students will be expected to produce high quantity and quality work during the course
The practical aspect of the course is complimented written analysis of artists and their work focusing on the wider issues they explore. The students will also learn to show a high level of critical analysis when discussing their own work explaining their themes in a mature and creative manner.
During the project alongside their practical responses’ students will also tackle a 3000-word essay that explores the students chosen practical themes from an analytical viewpoint.
Students will be expected to devise a title for the essay based on their second project.
From this point, they must complete in-depth research on their topic and then write an essay that shows their understanding of the artists and the themes from their research.

Year 13

At the start of Year 13 when students are at the apex of their skill level they will continue to develop their Personal Investigation (worth 60% of their final grade) which encompasses their Year 12 projects culminating in an impressive final piece for their Pre public Exam.

In February they will be handed their Externally Set Assignment which is worth 40% of their final grade and is set by the exam board

Externally Set Assignment

The Externally Set Assignment is a respnse to topics given by the Examining Board. The papers are issued in early February, and students have until mid- May to finalise their responses.

During this preparatory period students are to complete a range of investigations and developments including experimentations with ideas and materials, exploration into artist and contextual studies, good quality recording from observation and critical analyse of their own work.
This should allow students to produce a high quantity of preparatory work while at the same time developing the quality of their work. These studies should help the students devise a final piece for the exam and should be presented and annotated in sketchbooks or sheets.

Students must then complete a 15-hour examination final piece under examination conditions. At the end of the exam all work must be submitted for final assessment