Art and Design

Art & Design subjects at Beckfoot ignite a creative spark and are key to enhancing cultural capital.

Art & Design subjects at Beckfoot ignite a creative spark and are key to enhancing cultural capital by nurturing students who are knowledge rich artists, designers and photographers.

Our dynamic and exciting curriculum enables students to explore practical, theoretical and discipline-based knowledge resulting in proficient students who are fluent, experimental, capable of producing authentic work and who can see and interpret the world through the lens of Art. Mastery of skill and technique is alive in Art & Design at Beckfoot. Please see our Intent Document, Curriculum Overview and Sequencing Maps to find out more.

Enrichment

In art we enrich our learners through a wide range of experiences both in our school and the wider community. This includes:

  • Workshops led by visiting artists
  • Study visits
  • Residential trips
  • Extracurricular activities and clubs

We also also enhance students’ cultural capital by
exposing them to a wide variety of contemporary and historic art & design practitioners, art movements and cultures.

Assessment

In years 7, 8 and 9, internal assessments will take place throughout each year to monitor student progress and further inform teaching and learning. 

At GCSE, we offer three Art and Design courses to our students, these are Fine Art, Graphics and Photography

KS4 Specification

Careers

Our art curriculum develops a range of employable skills: creativity, self-expression, critical thinking and confidence. We also encourage discussion about careers Art and Design could lead towards.

  • Art Consultant
  • Cinematographer
  • Video Editor
  • Photographer
  • Fashion Designer
  • Concept Artist
  • Animator

Curriculum Overview

YearCycle 1Cycle 2Cycle 3
Year 7

Drawing – Elements of art 

Abstract art – sculptural form 

Day of the Dead – Embossed metal sugar skull 

Assemblage – Wall hanging 

Cultural masks – design and relief sculpture 

Year 8

Semi-abstract art – Annibot (animal robot) isometric design

Architectural styles – Ceramic fireplace (candle holder) design and sculpture 

Architectural styles – sculpture embellishment 

Cubist portrait – lino production print 

Abstraction – mixed media drawing 

Year 9

Semi-abstract art – natural forms 

Semi-abstract art – cityscape 

Assemblage – mask 

Human form – wire and mod-roc sculpture

Recycled art – recycled robot 

Organic abstract art – soap carving and observation 

Year 10

Fine Art – Mechanical objects: Experimentation – x5 surface textures, observations – x5 drawings

Graphics – Pop culture convention: Artist research

Photography – Forces: Research, nature, chemical

Fine Art – Mechanical objects: Artist studies (Michael Lang, Nicola Tilley and Kerby Rosanes) and development 1, preliminary grid and embellishment

Graphics – Pop culture convention: Artist studies (Justin Maller, Mike Mahle)

Photography – Forces: Applied and movement – research, analysis and trip prep

Fine Art – Mechanical objects: Further developments – abstract prisma drawing, abstract acrylic transfer and ceramic sculpture and design

Graphics – Pop culture convention: Techniques, supporting research and logo development

Photography – Forces: Artist studies (Aaron Yeomen and Helder Santos)

Year 11

Fine art – Mechanical objects: Further developments – sculpture embellishments, mixed media experiments and surreal (morphing) animal

Graphics – Pop culture convention: Experimentation

Photography – Structures: Experimental drawings

Fine art – Mechanical objects: Further developments – ceramic portrait, artificial heart, synthetic portrait or abstract outcome

Graphics – Pop culture convention: 3D pop-up box, final outcomes

Photography – Structures: Sculpture, mixed media, experimentation, final design ideas and outcomes

Fine art – Externally set task: Mind map, observations, artist study, develop, experiment, refine and supervised time

Graphics – Externally set task: Artist research, Artist studies, Related Research, Typography, Logo Developments, Experimentation, Final Design Ideas

Photography – Externally set task: Mind-Map, Research, Analysis, Drawing, Studies, Experimental Photography and Post-Production