Art, Craft & Design
Art, Craft & Design
What is the overall aim of what we are learning in Art, Craft & Design?
We focus on building strong foundational skills. Students develop confidence and proficiency in key areas such as drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. They explore the work of a range of artists to make meaningful links to their own practice, but the heart of the course is skill development, giving every student the tools they need to create, experiment and express themselves creatively.
What are students learning in Year 7, 8 and 9?
Year 7 & 8
In Years 7 and 8, students explore a range of different media through carefully designed units that build core art skills. They develop their drawing through close observation and experiment with processes such as painting, sculpture, printmaking and image-making. Students also learn how to make meaningful links to artists’ work, discussing and reflecting on how these influences can inform their own creative outcomes.
Year 9
In Year 9, students continue to strengthen their practical skills in drawing, painting, sculpture and image-making. With more lesson time, they revisit these materials in greater depth, allowing for increased focus on technique, refinement and creative experimentation. Students learn how to generate and develop their own ideas with growing independence, and their ability to discuss and write about art is further extended. To help prepare those who may choose GCSE Art in Year 10, students complete an exam-taster project in the Summer term, giving them a first experience of the expectations and ways of working at the next level.
Why are they learning these things?
Year 7 & 8
Students learn a broad range of foundational skills so they can confidently access different types of media and discover their own strengths as young artists. By developing strong drawing skills and exploring a variety of materials, they build the technical understanding needed to express what they think, feel and see. We believe that confidence comes from mastering the basics, and these early experiences give students the platform they need to grow creatively. Their ability to talk and write about their own work and the work of others is also nurtured, supporting their overall artistic development.
Year 9
All of the work in Year 9 is designed to prepare students for the demands of GCSE Art in Years 10 and 11. The focus is on developing creative independence while revisiting and refining a rigorous body of practical skills. Students learn how to generate, explore, and develop their own ideas, building the confidence and technical understanding needed for extended projects. This foundation ensures they are ready to meet the challenges of GCSE Art with skill, creativity, and resilience.
| Year 7 - Scheme of Learning Overview | |
|---|---|
| 7.1 | Formal Elements |
| 7.2 | Aquatic Animals |
| Year 8 - Scheme of Learning Overview | |
|---|---|
| 8.1 | Abstract Art |
| 8.2 | Insects |
| Year 9 Scheme of Learning Overview | |
| 9.1 | Robots |
| 9.2 | Consumption |
What are the students learning in Year 10 and 11?
Year 10 and 11
Students will continue to build their practical skills in a range of media and processes. They will continue to learn how to analyse the work of recognised artists and how to synthesise this learning into their practical work.
Students will be taught how to experiment with a range of processes and materials in order to develop their work further, with the aim of producing final outcomes that link together with their artist research and development work.
Why are they learning these things?
Year 10 and 11
Most students will complete two projects in Year 10, the first of which will be a theme set by teachers, whereas the second will be generated by the students themselves. In the Summer Term of Year 10, students will decide which of the two projects they will continue to develop for submission for their GCSE Portfolio unit. In Year 11, students will be expected to complete their Portfolio unit by the end of the Autumn Term. They will have from January until April to complete the Externally Set task, which will culminate in a ten hour exam in which they produce a final outcome. All of the learning and teaching that takes place during Year 10 and Year 11 is to facilitate the successful completion of their Portfolio unit and their Externally Set Task.
| Year 10 - Scheme of Learning Overview | |
|---|---|
| 10.1 | Distortion |
| 10.2 | Distortion:Refinement |
| Year 11 - Scheme of Learning Overview | |
|---|---|
| 11.1 | Distortion: Refinement |
| 11.2 | Set Exam Task |
How can I find out more about what students are learning?
| Schemes of Learning | Over the course of this academic year, we will be sharing links to our schemes of learning. You can click on these links to see more about what your child is studying. |
| GCSE Exam Board | See the exam board specification below for a full outline of how the course is structured. |
| GCSE Specification | OCR Art and Design (9-1) - J170-J176 |
| Subject Contact | The name and email address of the subject leader can be found below. Please feel free to contact them if you have any further questions or would like to learn more about the curriculum students are following. |
| Subject Leader & email | Mr A Kilbane akilbane@islipmanorhigh.org.uk |
Photography
What is the overall aim of what we are learning in Photography?
Our Photography curriculum allows students to explore art through digital media, reflecting the growing role of technology in creative industries. Students develop practical skills in using cameras and editing software such as Photoshop, while building a strong foundation in image-making, composition, and visual storytelling. They also study the work of renowned photographers, learning to make connections and discuss their own work critically. The course combines skill-building with creative experimentation, giving students the tools to express themselves through digital art.
What are the students learning in Year 9, 10 & 11?
Year 9
In Year 9, students focus on the essentials of photography, including camera settings and technology, framing and composition, lighting, and creating contact sheets. They also learn the fundamentals of digital editing using software such as Photoshop. This year acts as a preparatory “exam-taster,” giving students a first experience of the practical and creative skills required for GCSE Photography, while developing their ability to discuss and write critically about their own work and the work of others.
Year 10 and 11
Students will continue to build their practical skills in a range of photographic media and processes. They will continue to learn how to analyse the work of photographers and how to synthesise this learning into their practical work. There is an emphasis on creative thinking and students are taught how to respond to themes and to develop ideas.
Students will be taught how to experiment with a range of processes and materials in order to develop their work further, with the aim of producing final outcomes that link together their research and development.
Why are they learning these things?
Year 9
All of what we teach at Year 9 is with the purpose of preparing students for Year 10 and 11, which is when they will embark on extended projects for final GCSE submission. It is important that students build their skills and develop their visual literacy so that they can begin to both read and create visual images effectively.
Year 10 and 11
Most students will complete two projects in Year 10, the first of which will be a theme set by teachers, whereas the second will be generated by the students themselves. In the Summer Term of Year 10, students will decide which of the two projects they will continue to develop for submission for their GCSE Portfolio unit.
In Year 11, students will be expected to complete their Portfolio unit by the end of the Autumn Term. They will have from January until April to complete the Externally Set task, which will culminate in a ten hour exam in which they produce a final outcome.
All of the learning and teaching that takes place during Year 10 and Year 11 is to facilitate the successful completion of their Portfolio unit and their Externally Set Task.
| Year 9 - Scheme of Learning Overview | |
|---|---|
| 9.1 | Still Life |
| 9.2 | Portraits |
| Year 10 - Scheme of Learning Overview | |
|---|---|
| 10.1 | Contrast |
| 10.2 | Movement |
| 10.3 |
Personal Task |
| Year 11 - Scheme of Learning Overview | |
| 11.1 | Personal Task |
| 11.2 | Set Exam Task |
How can I find out more about what students are learning?
| Schemes of Learning | Over the course of this academic year, we will be sharing links to our schemes of learning. You can click on these links to see more about what your child is studying. |
| GCSE Exam Board | See the exam board specification below for a full outline of how the course is structured. |
| GCSE Specification | OCR Art and Design (9-1) - J173 |
| Subject Contact | The name and email address of the subject leader can be found below. Please feel free to contact them if you have any further questions or would like to learn more about the curriculum students are following. |
| Subject Leader & email | Mr A Kilbane akilbane@islipmanorhigh.org.uk |
Three Dimensional Design / Product Design
What is the overall aim of what we are learning in Three Dimensional Design?
To ensure that all students are able to design and create functional objects. It is our intention that students become proficient in using a range of tools and methods such as drawing, painting, design software and catering in order to realise their design ideas. Developing an understanding of the relationship between form and function is important. Students will learn about great designers and we will equip them to be able to talk and write critically about the work of other designers and the work they themselves produce.
What are students learning in Year 7, 8 & 9?
Students will learn how to identify target audiences and how to design for their specific needs. We have devised schemes of learning which cover disciplines within product design and catering. These topics will be covered throughout the year on a rotational basis.
Why are they learning these things?
Ideas are at the very heart of the design curriculum and we want to equip students with the tools they need to be able to express what they see and think. Literacy is of utmost importance and we intend that students are able to talk and write expressively about their work and the work of others.
| Year 7 - Scheme of Learning Overview | |
|---|---|
| 7.1 | Catering |
| 7.2 | Introduction to design: Desk tidy or Geometric clocks |
| 7.3 | Mood light |
| Year 8 - Scheme of Learning Overview | |
|---|---|
| 8.1 | Catering |
| 8.2 | Introduction to Electronics |
| 8.3 | Bug houses |
| Year 9 - Scheme of Learning Overview | |
| 9.1 | Catering |
| 9.2 | New technology: Modeling Skills |
| 9.3 | Functional furniture |
What are the students learning in Year 10 & 11?
Year 10 and 11
Students will continue to build their practical and design skills through a range of media and processes. They will continue to learn how to analyse the work of designers and how to synthesise this learning into their practical work. There is an emphasis on creative thinking and students are taught how to respond to design briefs and to develop ideas.
Students will be taught how to experiment with a range of processes and materials in order to develop their work further, with the aim of producing final outcomes that link together their research and development.
Why are they learning these things?
Year 10 and 11
Most students will complete three projects in Year 10, the third of which will be a theme generated by the students themselves, but informed by their prior learning. In the Summer Term of Year 10, students will decide which of the three projects they have explored will be developed for submission for their GCSE Portfolio unit.
| Year 10 - Scheme of Learning Overview | |
|---|---|
| 10.1 | Personal Task |
| 10.2 |
Personal Task |
| 10.3 |
Personal Task |
| Year 11 - Scheme of Learning Overview | |
|---|---|
| 11.1 | Personal Task |
| 11.2 | Set Exam Task |
| 11.3 | Set Exam Task |
How can I find out more about what students are learning?
| Schemes of Learning | Over the course of this academic year, we will be sharing links to our schemes of learning. You can click on these links to see more about what your child is studying. |
| GCSE Exam Board | See the exam board specification below for a full outline of how the course is structured. |
| GCSE Specification | OCR Art and Design (9-1) - J175 |
| Subject Contact | The name and email address of the subject leader can be found below. Please feel free to contact them if you have any further questions or would like to learn more about the curriculum students are following. |
| Subject Leader & email | Mr A Kilbane akilbane@islipmanorhigh.org.uk |