Art Department Information

At Abersychan Art lessons are about creativity and self expression. The Art curriculum is designed to provide a balance between the development of practical skills and the encouragement of innovation and imagination.

Art encourages pupils to formulate ideas, emotions and opinions. At Abersychan we provide a stimulating, safe environment in which pupils can experiment with materials and techniques to realise their ideas.

Pupils are encouraged to develop an appreciation of different cultures, traditional and contemporary, artists, designers and craftspeople.

Staff

Key Threads in the Art Schemes of Work

Pupils should:

• make personal responses to themes
• establish and develop ideas and themes      
• explore and experiment
• select , control and use a wide range of materials , processes and techniques
• produce work in two and three dimensions and on a variety of scales
• use ICT for research and image manipulation
• communicate meaning
• express feeling
• use direct experience, memory and imagination
• compare and contrast
• analyse their own work
• discuss their work
• modify and refine their work
• work individually and collaboratively
• develop knowledge and understanding of artist and designers working in a range of media, from a variety of  periods, culture and contexts, including local and Welsh examples
• respond to methods and ideas of other artists
• keep a sketchbook
• develop an aesthetic and technical art vocabulary
• record ideas
• annotate their work

Key Stage 3

Key Stage 4

In Key Stage 4 pupils study GCSE Art and Design.

This specification offers a practical course with maximum opportunities for a stimulating experience of creativity and art, craft and design making activities, including:

• Fine Art
• Critical and Contextual Studies
• Textile Design
• Graphic Communication
• Three Dimensional Design

Each option/area of study will entail:

•  Controlled Assessment 1 (Portfolio 60%)
• Controlled Assessment 2 (Sustained Focus 40%)

Portfolio

Internally set and developed from personal and/or given starting points.  A coherent body of work which must be selected and presented by the candidate for moderation.

Sustained focus

The examination paper will include images (picture starters), themes (one-word starters) and tasks (An explanation that may be of guidance but which will not be compulsory).  Candidates must choose only one assignment and give a clear account of their intentions.  There will be a period of preparation determined by the centre and a maximum of 10 hours under controlled conditions.  All work must be selected and presented by the candidate for moderation.