Lisnagarvey High School

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Art Overview

Staff

Miss C Johnston (Head of Department), Mrs M Dougherty, Mrs H Dowse & Mrs L-A Knipe

Departmental Aim

Lisnagarvey High School Art and Design Department is seen as an Area of Excellence. Art is not regarded as a subject for the select few, but as a vehicle for all pupils to use and become involved in, regardless of ability.

In accordance with the whole school policy, the Department also aims to help each pupil attain his/her full potential, academically, emotionally and socially and to provide a secure ‘domestic’ environment in which this process can take place.

As a department, we aim to give the pupils the best possible art education. We believe that pupils will flourish if they are meaningfully involved in their work and are happy in their surroundings.

Art and design is a visual language in which pupils are encouraged to express themselves in a variety of ways as a result of gaining an understanding of media and acquiring skills and techniques. A verbal language is also of paramount importance whereby pupils are encouraged to discuss and critically appraise their own work and the work of others, using an art vocabulary.

Most art activities present a complex mix of thinking, feeling, perceiving and making. It is in this context that we as teachers can encourage pupils to work through a design process, solve identified problems, feel responses and then evaluate their own work. The importance of the continuum of study is constantly referred to. We also place strong emphasis on the understanding of the nature of Art and Design by continual reference to Critical Studies and to our own environment and direct experiences.

An Overview of Key Stage 3 Curriculum

YEAR 8

Schemes of work will vary, according to the interests and strengths of particular teacher specialism and should be designed to achieve the stated objectives.

During the year, pupils will be offered exercises, themes or projects in 2D and 3D, to gain experience, knowledge, skills, awareness and understanding of the visual arts. They will also explore the Formal Elements of Art and Design; line, tone, space, colour, pattern, texture and light.

Contextual Studies

Pupils should learn to respond and to evaluate different kinds of art. Examples should include some understanding of Historical, Contemporary and Local Art and some reference to Non-Western Culture, in order to extend their knowledge and appreciation. Pupils will also look at an artist and study his/her life’s work.

Pupils must keep sketchbooks/folders as evidence of work produced both in class and for homework. These should also include personal responses to their experiences and personal evaluations of their projects.

Pupils must be taught how to use tools safely, e.g. craft knives, scissors etc., and to have respect for equipment and materials. Pupils should develop a basic artistic language (sketchbooks/folders should be used to house their newly found vocabulary). The development of Literacy Across the Curriculum (LAC’s) will encourage pupils to learn Art and Design vocabulary.

YEAR 9

Projects and themes set for Year 9 will be more varied and designed to develop more complex skills and perceptions. There will be further, more sophisticated development of mark making techniques with greater use of mixed media and exploration of techniques.

Pupils should further to develop the ability to give substantial attention to works of art, craft and design.

YEAR 10

There will be an intensive study of subject matter using various media. Sequential development and response to stimuli is of paramount importance. Pupils must learn to modify and refine their work as it progresses. These studies should be extended into particular activities, which will give pupils a taste of GCSE courses – e.g. observational drawing and painting, printmaking, textiles, graphics and three-dimensional work.

Pupils must analyse some of the characteristics of art, craft and design from different periods, identify how and why styles and traditions have changed and expressed opinions and preferences.

Departmental Facilities and Resources

Great emphasis is placed on resourcing the Department with consumable non- consumable materials, which ensure that a wide range of activities can take place. Pupils of all abilities can participate in the following activities: -

· Drawing and Painting – in a variety of media

· 3D Studies – paper mache, plaster, mod roc, wire, clay etc.

· Printing – press print, lino, mono, card etc.

· Graphics – including use of computer packages e.g. Photoshop and Illustrator

· Textiles – batik, weaving, collage etc.

We are currently building up a library and resource centre within the Department.

Information Technology

The Department has access to ICT resources and where possible, students are given the opportunity to use the schools’ resource base to explore and develop the use of ICT in designing and making artwork. With recent development of a graphics/computer suite situated between the two main art rooms, pupils can easily access the facilities during lesson time. Pupils will be encouraged to use the computers to research and resource information pertaining to other artists via the Internet, and also to create innovative, colourful artwork. The applications of computer technology in art and design work is explained and explored through practical activity.

Art and Design