Art
Head of Department: Mrs A. Briggs
The art department at the Park School is a very broad based area with a large fully equipped room and new recently fitted dark room. The department offers a range of areas including drawing, painting, mixed media, sculpture, pottery, photography and textiles. There is also an art club at lunch times once a week. Art and design is compulsory from year 7 to 9 through key stages 3, and optional GCSE key stage 4, it is a popular subject at the school and there are usually large groups taking GCSE art and design. AS and A Level art and design courses are also offered within the sixth form where pupils are encouraged to pursue their own strengths and interests.At key stage 3 pupils will develop their skills within the area of art and design and there is one project a term where observational drawing is encouraged and developed as a starting point. Projects may vary from portraits, different cultures, viewpoints and animals in art amongst others. Pupils are taught a range of skills and techniques to improve their drawing including how to measure, record information using different materials and create three dimensional effects on a flat surface. Pupils are then encouraged to work through a range of media exploring elements such as line, colour and texture. Pupils will also develop three dimensional skills in addition to design and decorative skills, repeat pattern and surface design. Throughout each project pupils will be introduced to different artists from different time periods in addition to art from different cultures to assist and inspire their own ideas and practical work. There will be some written research and analysis at year 8 and 9 in additional to practical homework which is set once a week. Throughout the projects pupils are helped to expand and explore their own ideas and interests, there is also a lot of one to one help and advice. Some visits to galleries and field trips are organised throughout the year to inform ideas and inspire work.
At key stage four and during Year 10, pupils will undertake two chosen coursework projects covering a range of processes and techniques including photography and textiles, pupils will be encouraged to explore the work of others in relation to their own ideas and practical work. Sketch book work at this level is essential and research skills and good observational recording are particularly encouraged. Pupils' chosen projects may include musical instruments, landscape, buildings or natural forms for example. Pupils will explore their own ideas working through a range of materials and techniques, some may develop work within the area of textiles others through fine art, there are several final pieces for each project in addition to sketch books and smaller preparation pieces. There will be a final practical exam during year 11 where the question is set externally by the exam board. Pupils will have two months to research their ideas and produce one final piece in any media of their choice during a ten hour exam over two days. There will also be a mock exam during January in preparation for the final exam. Pupils will be taken to recent exhibitions and the major London galleries once a year amongst other local visits to inspire ideas. Pupils will exhibit their work and set up their own displays at the end of the year for moderation, there will be a private view where family and friends will be invited to celebrate their work.
AS Level Art and Design consists of one coursework portfolio comprising one design and the other fine art based, pupils will work through a wide range of media and techniques and explore individual ideas and interests. For each project a final piece or pieces are created in any media and any scale, larger more ambitious work is very much encouraged at this level. Sketchbook work is an essential part of the course where pupils will explore ideas and investigate the work of other artists and designers. There is a final practical exam of five hours where the questions are set externally, this may be answered in any media. At A Level there is a practical project called a 'Personal Investigation', which is to be chosen by the pupil where they will explore their strengths and interests and the emphasis is on quality and the final work created. There is also a related Personal Study from 1000 to 3000 words into a chosen area of art and design in addition to a final externally set exam of fifteen hours where pupils will create one final piece in any media. Mock exams will be undertaken to prepare pupils for the final exams. Work is displayed and moderated at the end of the year. Pupils will also attend London visits to galleries to inform ideas. Many pupils go onto to other art based courses after taking A Level art and design at the Park, careers advice, interview and portfolio preparation is also offered to assist pupils with future careers in art and design.
