Art, Technology & Photography

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We have high expectations for all our pupils and ensure that every learner is challenged and supported to reach their full potential.

Art, Technology and Photography curriculum

Here at Platanos College, we believe that Art, Technology and Photography embody some of the highest forms of creativity. Our curriculum strives to engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. As our pupils progress, they will be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of Art and Design. They will also explore how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of the world.

Why is it important for pupils to study Art and Technology?

  • Pupils can express their feelings and personality through Art, Design and Photography.
  • Art, Design and Photography allows pupils to understand the visual world around them.
  • At Key Stage 3 pupils can experiment with a wide range of areas of Art, Design and Photography to learn their own unique style.
  • At Key Stage 4 pupils can expand on their knowledge of Art, Design and Photography and develop their skills in specialist areas.
  • Pupils learn and develop skills in Art, Design and Photography within a range of forms, techniques and processes.
  • Experiment with materials, techniques and processors using a variety of media.
  • Broaden their understanding in the different areas of Art, Design and Photography.
  • Research relevant artists, gaining applicable research skills.
  • Gain knowledge of periods in history, art movements, artists and designers.

 

The Art and Design department believe that the Visual Arts are a key component in today’s society. Visual Communication is a language that all people speak; it cuts across racial, cultural, social, educational, and economic barriers and enhances cultural appreciation and awareness. The Visual Arts exercise and develop higher order thinking skills including analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and problem solving.

Art and Design now has very real and direct links to future employment. The creative industries have been growing three times as fast as the national economy and “The UK remains a leading marketplace for art, according to figures released by Thomson Reuters” (Telegraph).

The National Curriculum

Pupils should be taught to develop their creativity and ideas, and increase proficiency in their execution. They should develop a critical understanding of artists, architects and designers, expressing reasoned judgements that can inform their own work.

Pupils should be taught:

  • To use a range of techniques to record their observations in sketchbooks, journals and other media as a basis for exploring their ideas.
  • To use a range of techniques and media, including painting.
  • To increase their proficiency in the handling of different materials.
  • To analyse and evaluate their own work, and that of others, in order to strengthen the visual impact or applications of their work.
  • About the history of art, craft, design and architecture, including periods, styles and major movements from ancient times up to the present day.

How to help at home

  • Talk to them about art work. Having discussions about art will develop their ability to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding and appreciation of art. 
  • Take your child to art galleries and exhibitions in London. We are extremely fortunate living in London as there are plenty of free, child-friendly galleries, exhibitions and pop-up installations. Keep an eye out for possible trips in the ‘Time Out’ publication.
  • Get creative at home. Spend time with your children sketching, painting, sculpture making, collage designing etc. Giving them more opportunities to develop their art skills will help them master the techniques in the key areas of Art, Design and Photography.
  • Have a sketch book which your child can take with them on holidays, days out etc. They can record their observations in their sketch books. This will help them develop their ability to make observations from real-life studies.
  • Make use of your local library. Looking at existing work can help inspire and influence their art work and love for the subject.

Key Stage 3 Overview

(Subject to change)

The Key Stage 3 curriculum has been produced so that students get a wide range of knowledge, understanding and skills within different areas of Art, Design and Photography. The different projects have been carefully planned so that students build up on their prior knowledge, understanding and skills and make progress throughout this key stage. The projects cover a wide range of different types of art from all areas of the world and times in history. All key stage 3 students can experiment with a wide range of areas in Art, Design and Photography to learn their own unique style. Students have opportunities to experiment with different materials, media, techniques and processes throughout every project. Students are encouraged to broaden their understanding and knowledge of different periods in history, art movements and the course covers many different artists/designers that are relevant to their studies.

Year 7 Term 1
Art Graphics
Topic Freeze Frame- Still Life Plastic Ocean
Skills
  • Introduction to Art
  • Formal elements
  • Drawing
  • Photography
  • Watercolour Painting
  • Introduction to graphics
  • Typography
  • Spacing
  • Illustrating
  • Illustrator
Career Link Creative Careers Graphic Designers
Enrichment opportunities
  • Trips to enhance learning
  • Independent research project
  • History month
Year 7 Term 2
Art Graphics
Topic Masks Oyster Card Holder Design
Skills
  • Dry media
  • Designing
  • 3D Ceramics
  • Acrylic painting
  • Exploring colour properties
  • Designing for a purpose
  • Drawing
  • Computer Aided Design
Career Link Ceramics Brand Packaging designer
Enrichment opportunities
  • Trips to enhance learning
  • Independent research project
  • The Big Draw
Year 7 Term3
Art Graphics
Topic Mythical Creatures Typography
Skills
  • Illustration
  • Mark marking
  • Pen and ink
  • Book cover design
  • Hand drawn a & digital developed typefaces
  • Creatively conveying important messages
Career Link Illustrator Typographer
Enrichment opportunities
  • Trips to enhance learning
  • Independent research project
  • KS3 end of year exhibition
Year 8 Term 1
Art Graphics
Topic Natural Forms 3D Drawing Skills &
Typography
Skills
  • Drawing
  • Photography
  • Exploring wet and dry media
  • Artist exploration
  • Ceramics
  • Perspective drawing
  • Building dimension with shading & tone.
  • Exploring colour palettes
  • Anatomy of a typeface
  • Developing a typeface in relation to design brief
Career Link Photographer Designer
Enrichment opportunities
  • Trips to enhance learning
  • Independent research project
  • History month
Year 8 Term 2
Art Graphics
Topic Portraiture Identity
Skills
  • Drawing
  • Painting
  • Media exploration
  • Photography
  • Photo manipulation
  • Individual pathways- choosing individual style and media
  • Mark Making
  • Illustrating
  • Computer Aided Design
  • Mixed Media
  • Photography
Career Link Portrait Artists Graphic designers
Enrichment opportunities
  • Trips to enhance learning
  • Independent research project
  • The Big Draw
Year 8 Term3
Art Graphics
Topic Urban Landscape Book Cover Design
Skills
  • Introduction to GCSE structure
  • Drawing
  • Printmaking (mono printing and lino printing)
  • Photography
  • Photo manipulation
  • Individual pathways- choosing individual style and media
  • Character Creation
  • Packaging Net Development
  • Exploring Mixed media
  • Communicating a message through design
  • Typography experimentation
Career Link Architect Illustrator
Enrichment opportunities
  • Trips to enhance learning
  • Independent research project
  • KS3 end of year exhibition
Year 9 Cycle 1
Art Graphics
Topic Objectify Packaging Design – Food illustration
Skills
  • Pre GCSE course
  • Foundation workshops covering a range of techniques and processes
  • Individual pathways- choosing individual style and media
  • Pre GCSE Course
  • Conveying information, thoughts and emotions, using a range of graphic processes, techniques in a creative and visual way.
Career Link Creative Careers Illustrator, Printmaker & Graphic Designer
Enrichment opportunities
  • Trips to enhance learning
  • Independent research project
  • History month
  • The Big Draw
  • KS3 end of year exhibition
  • Trips to enhance learning
  • Independent research project
  • History month
  • KS3 end of year exhibition

Key Stage 4 Overview

The GCSE for Art, Graphics and Photography is split into two Components:

Component 1: Portfolio (60% of the final mark)

There is no restriction on the scale of work, media or materials used. The aim of this component will be on the development of understanding and skills using an appropriate range of materials, processes and techniques including many of the following: drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, 3D design, digital media and digital manipulation.

Each pupil must select and present a portfolio representative of their course of study.

The portfolio component includes two separate units of work.

Component 2: Externally set assignment. Pupils select and respond to one starting point from their chosen title (40% of the final mark).

The externally set assignment provides pupils with the opportunity to demonstrate, through an extended creative response, their ability to draw together different areas of knowledge, skills and understanding in response to their selected starting point through to their realisation of intentions in the final practical exam.

The externally set assignment is issued from early January followed by an extended preparation period prior to the final exam after Easter.

Year 10 Term 1 and 2
Art Graphics Photography
Topic Micro Macro- Natural forms Musical motifs Micro Macro- Natural forms
Skills
  • Workshops covering drawing, painting, printmaking, 3D construction, photography and illustration
  • Artist appreciation and analysis
  • Individual pathways are developed to support pupils’ projects
  • Workshops covering printmaking, drawing, Painting, digital manipulation, publishing, graphic design, product design and illustration.
  • Artist, maker, designer appreciation and analysis
  • Market research, investigation of layout and typography working to a design brief.
  • Individual pathways are developed to support pupils’ projects
Enrichment opportunities
  • Trip to Tate modern
  • Photography trip to Borough Market
  • Trip to design museum, Barbican or V&A
Year 10 Term 3
Art Graphics Photography
Topic Order Disorder Order Disorder Order Disorder
Skills
  • Individual pathways are developed to support pupils’ projects
  • 1:1 support and development connecting to individual projects
  • Individual pathways are developed to support pupils’ projects related to research and personal design briefs
  • 1:1 support and development connecting to individual projects
  • Development of visual language and graphic communication
Enrichment opportunities
  • Trip to gallery (exhibition changes year to year)
  • Artist workshops
  • Trip to gallery (exhibition changes year to year)
  • Artist workshops
Year 11 Term 1
Art Graphics
Topic Order Disorder Order Disorder
Skills
  • Continuation of year 10 project- focusing on AO4 and final outcome
  • Continuation of year 10 project- focusing on AO4 and final outcome
Year 11 Term 2 and 3
Art Graphics
Topic Exam – unseen theme Exam – unseen theme
Skills
  • 1:1 support and development connecting to individual projects
  • 1:1 support and development connecting to individual projects