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. They will look at the work of artists Vincent Van Gogh, Yayoi Kusama and Henri Matisse. Students will create a series of observational studies and use a range of media including pencil, pen, pencil crayons, oil pastels, paint, clay and collage.  

Throughout the academic year students create work that link to national celebratory days/weeks. These days include National Poetry Day, Remembrance Day and World Book Day.

Year 8

In Year 8, students will develop knowledge and understanding of art through exploring various themes. In the Autumn term students will explore print making techniques inspired by a ‘Day of the Dead’ theme. Students will learn about cultures and traditions from Mexico and the Día de Muertos festival. Students will complete a series of layered ink prints experimenting with surfaces plus a 3d outcome: a sugar skull mask using their modelling skills. 

In Spring students will learn about Cubism and the artist George Braque and through research they will produce a fractured artwork ‘in a cubist style through the theme of music. Students will focus on artist research and inspiration during the pop art project where they will study the work of Ron Magnes and use paint to produce their own work inspired by him. Using their knowledge of Pop Art students will show their personality and skills by looking at communication and symbolism to produce an outcome inspired by pop art and the artwork Bash, by Eduardo Paolozzi. 

Students will refine the skills and techniques they have developed during Year 7 and become more confident whilst acquiring new skills through experimenting with printmaking, mixed media and painting.  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, Portraiture and Typography. Students will refine the skills and techniques explored during Year 8 and develop new skills when experimenting with printmaking, 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 and skill building exploring 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. From autumn to spring term they will sit component 1 of the externally set exam theme and the skills developed will help them approach this with confidence. Students must spend a minimum of 20 hours supervised time, responding 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 summer term they will explore the theme of Food looking at the work of Artists and designers for inspiration to develop their skills and prepare for component 2 in Year 11.

Year 11

The BTEC Tech award in Art & Design Practice in Year 11 allows students to demonstrate the skills they have developed in KS3 and year 10 through their portfolio and outcome submissions. At the start of the year, they will work on a mock brief, learning the structure and tasks required to complete their externally set creative brief.  They will recap skills from Year 10 such as how to research artists, exploring the brief and creating mood boards, and learn new skills of how to write a project development review and create a digital portfolio. 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. Students will be required to write a development review, produce a final outcome and create a digital portfolio independently under formal supervision. 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.