Shelley College: Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 Art

Head of Department: Mrs R Hesmondhalgh

At Shelley College we offer a wide range of Art, Craft and Design practices at all levels to allow all students the opportunity to gain and develop skills and experiences in many areas. We have four specialist teaching rooms, two Sixth Form Art areas and an Art Shop; alongside specialist areas and equipment including Kilns, Print-making, sewing and computer facilities and a photographic dark room.

All staff encourage students to enhance their own personal skills, knowledge and understanding of Art & Design; and to achieve their own potential at all levels. Drawing and Painting is the starting point for all work produced within the department, but for many individual students ideas will progress and develop using a wide ranging media such as Ceramics and Sculpture, Print-making, Fashion and Creative Textiles and Visual Communication. Students develop their contextual knowledge of art and design including aspects of art history, current and contemporary practice and vocational related aspects at some levels.

We offer many exciting opportunities to our students including art workshops by practicing artists and practitioners, and gallery and museum visits. The department is very proud of its student achievements and this is clearly evident by the wide ranging high quality art work that is always on display within the department and around the college. We aim to be a friendly and inspiring department that achieves excellent results and encourages potential at all levels.

KS3 – Year 9:
This broad course completes the development of knowledge, understanding and skills in Art and Design at Key Stage 3. It enables all Year 9 pupils to investigate many of the different materials and methods available within this subject area such as print-making, ceramics, drawing and painting and batik.

The structure of the course allows for personal development and interpretation whilst enabling pupils to gain additional knowledge about art works, artists and craftspeople and their connections / inspiration of other subject areas and cultures. Work is developed primarily in sketchbooks both at home and during lessons, with final pieces completed in several different media. This course supports creativity and development for pupils of all abilities and interests.

This course supports the progression of Art and Design onto the vocational BTEC or GCSE level courses; and further to AS / A2 / Applied Art and Design.
Number of Timetabled lessons per 2 weeks: 3
Additional Activities: Art Clubs

KS4:GCSE Art & Design:
A broad course that allows students to develop and explore a wide range of techniques and processes including working in areas such as Ceramics, Sculpture, Print-making, Fashion and Creative Textiles, Drawing and Painting, Batik and Graphics. Students take influence from different cultures, artists, designers and craft people alongside primary and secondary resources to develop their ideas, skills and knowledge.

Project work (portfolio) is produced throughout year 10 & 11 in sketchbooks and on various scales / forms; the Controlled Assessment is set towards the end of year 11 and is developed over a four week period.

This course is designed for students with an interest and passion for Art & Design; it can be used as a ‘stepping-stone’ for those who wish take Art at A Level or in the future, or be taken as a broad practical course alongside academic subjects.

GCSE Art & Design Course Structure
Portfolio of Work: 60% (Years 10 & 11).Two or more projects.
Controlled Assessment: 40% (year 11). One selected question chosen in February and developed for approximately 4 weeks.
Number of Timetabled lessons per 2 weeks: 5
Additional Activities: Art Clubs / Workshops
Levels / Pass Grades: A* - C grades, marking out of 80.
Examination Board: AQA

BTEC First Certificate Level 2 in ART & Design (2 x GCSE equivalents)
A broad based course that offers students initial knowledge, understanding and experience of applying Art & Design to work within the art and design sector. This is programme that focuses upon the vocational element of Art & Design; giving a taste of aspects of employment, opportunities and links to careers in Art and Design fields.

This course includes working in many areas such as Print-making, Drawing and Painting, Visual Communication, Sculpture, and Ceramics. The Specialist Unit towards the end of the course allows for in-depth exploration of a chosen field.

This course allows students to progress to a higher level in the future (AS, A2, Applied); or can be used to gain knowledge and experience for aspects of employment. It is for students of all abilities with a real interest and passion for Art and Design.

BTEC Art & Design First Certificate Level 2 Course Structure
Unit 1: 2D & 3D Visual Communication
Unit 2: Contextual References in Art & Design
Unit 3, (Specialist): Developed through a specific Art & Design Brief
Number of Timetabled lessons per 2 weeks: 10
Additional Activities: Art Clubs / Workshops, London Gallery Visit, Yorkshire Sculpture Park Visit
Levels/ Pass Grades: Pass, Merit, Distinction, Distinction*
Examination Board: Edexcel