Year 7

In Year 7 students explore ‘The Formal Elements of Art’, which are the parts used to make a piece of artwork. These elements are line, shape, form, tone, texture, pattern and colour. Students learn that they are often used together and how they can be organised to determine what the finished piece will look like. 

Students then experiment with the elements of art when responding to the different themes Van Gogh, Asian cultures, Natural Forms and Festival Crafts. Students will create a series of observational studies and use a range of media including pencil, pen, pencil crayons, pastels, collage and mixed media. Throughout the academic year students create work that link to national celebratory days/weeks. These days include National Poetry Day, Remembrance Day, Anti-Bullying Week, World Book Day and Earth Day. 

Year 8

In Year 8 students will develop knowledge and understanding through exploration of a variety of themes. They will learn oil pastel techniques, drawing from observation using sea life imagery. They will then develop this theme into sculptures, looking at layering up their design using cardboard. Students will focus on artist research and inspiration during the pop art project where they will use a variety of media to create their own outcomes. Demonstrating their cardboard modelling skills students will focus on architecture and produce a cityscape inspired by Barbara Gihooly. They will learn about Cubism (Braque) through research and work ‘in the style of this through the theme of music. For a final project student will show their personality and skills looking at communication and technology to produce a patterned outcome in the style of a holiday postcard.  Students will refine the skills and techniques the have developed during Year 7 and become more confident whilst acquiring new skills through experimenting with collage, paper and cardboard sculpture, Students will improve literacy through research of artists relating to the theme and artwork will be produced using influence from these artists.  

Year 9

In Year 9 students respond to the themes and topics of Insects, Typography, Portraiture and Mandala Art. Students will refine the skills and techniques explored during Year 8 and develop new skills when experimenting with printmaking, paper sculptures technical drawing and mixed media techniques.  

Whilst experimenting with a range of media and techniques students will explore the work of other artists and learn how to analyse their work and produce work inspired by the different styles. Students will develop how they present and display their artwork in interesting, professional and innovative ways.  

In the summer term Year 9 will work on a mini project responding to a professional brief. This project is designed to give an insight into the BTEC tech art & design practice course and prepares students for beginning the course in Year 10. Students will develop their ability to investigate themes, research artists & designers and develop their designing skills further. 

Year 10

The BTEC Tech award in Art & Design Practice in Year 10 allows students to explore and enhance their artistic skills such as drawing and painting, mixed media and printing techniques. They will learn how to use specialist materials and apply these techniques and give them the opportunity to begin the development of an individual portfolio of art and design work. This is achieved through set projects exploring a number of different topic briefs, throughout this they will study the work of other artists and designers to inspire and inform their work. Students will develop their ability to use a creative design development cycle to generate, develop and refine their ideas through investigating and experimenting. They will look at the work of professionals in the industry to allow them to relate and seek ideas. Throughout the year they will build skills in printing techniques and research. They will explore themes of Masks and Cultures looking at the work of Picasso for inspiration. They will experiment with natural forms and research their own artists for this project. During the summer term they will have the experience of designing for a life brief for the Pendle festival.  

Year 11

During the Autumn term Year 11 will refine and develop their skills within a component 1 refresher before starting their externally set brief in November. Students will have 20 hours supervised time over an 8-week period to respond to the externally set non-exam creative brief. This project will be assessed and marked internally and will be externally moderated by Pearsons at the end of the course. Component 1 is 60% of the final grade. 

During the Spring term students will respond to their component 2 exam brief. This brief is externally set and marked by Pearsons. Students will have 20 hours supervised time over an 8-week period to respond to the brief to create a body of work that investigates the theme given and develops ideas through experimentation of techniques and processes to create final piece. Students will be required to create a digital portfolio during this time for their external assessment. Component 2 is 40% of the final grade. 

If you would like any more information about our Art curriculum, please contact Mrs S Goldie, Head of Creative Arts, by emailing sgoldie@colneprimet.co.uk, filling in the form on our contact us page or phoning the main office to arrange a call back.