"The whole child is our whole point."
Weald of Kent Grammar School
Art
The intention of the Art curriculum at Weald of Kent Grammar School is to show students that art is accessible, inclusive, and relevant to everyone. We believe that creativity knows no bounds, and through a broad curriculum, we provide students with the opportunity to explore a diverse range of materials, techniques, and processes. This enables them to develop both their practical and theoretical knowledge of art, while encouraging them to observe the world around them with a critical and curious eye.
Our aim is to inspire students to question the visual imagery they encounter daily, prompting deeper reflection on the meaning and impact of art in society. We encourage independent learning, fostering a passion for art that extends beyond technical skills. Whether students are experienced or just beginning their artistic journey, we nurture their ability to express themselves confidently and creatively.
Through the study of art, we not only build students' skills but also cultivate their enthusiasm for a subject that is relevant, meaningful, and enjoyable for all. We want students to feel empowered in their creative choices, becoming passionate and reflective artists who understand the role of art in both their personal lives and the wider world.
Course Content
Years 7-9
Year 7
Term 1:
- Introduction to key art vocabulary and definitions of the formal elements (line, shape, form, colour, pattern, tone, and texture).
Term 2:
- Introduction to observational drawing, understanding how a ‘success criteria’ can aid the progress of a drawing.
- Self and peer assessment to facilitate progress and independence.
- Learning about different drawing pencil grades and how to use them effectively.
Term 3:
- Understanding the colour wheel, including primary, secondary, tertiary, complementary, and harmonious colours.
- Exploring the use of tone and tints.
- Investigating the properties of watercolour paints and learning how to achieve brush control.
- Analysing the work of Abstract artist Paul Klee and his use of colour.
Term 4:
- Analysis of the work of illustrator Rosalind Monks and the creative use of line, shape, and pattern within her work.
- Understanding the differences between primary and secondary reference material and how they can be used to create line drawings.
- Developing skills in pattern creation and applying knowledge of colour to insect drawings.
Term 5:
- Students work collaboratively and learn how to communicate effectively, solve problems together, and respect diverse perspectives.
- Experimenting with mixed media to create a relief collagraph printmaking plate.
Term 6:
- Exploring the properties of materials and how they affect artistic outcomes.
- Applying knowledge of formal elements to plan and execute a personal artwork.
- Learning to use cutting tools safely.
Year 8
Term 1: Arts and Crafts and Aesop’s Fables
- Introduction to the Arts and Crafts movement: key artists, design features, and the impact on art and culture.
- Explore the life of Aesop’s and a selection of his moral tales, understanding the themes and messages within them.
- Learning how to record observations from secondary sources, focusing on gathering relevant information.
Term 2: Arts and Crafts and Aesop’s Fables
- Review and apply knowledge of composition rules to evaluate artistic works.
- Distinguish between relief and intaglio decoration techniques.
- Explore materials, techniques, and processes involved in using clay.
- Engage in self and peer assessment, using key art vocabulary to evaluate art projects.
Term 3: Arts and Crafts and Aesop’s Fables
- Review and apply rules of composition in art, further developing creative skills.
- Dive deeper into creating narrative clay tiles, focusing on techniques and processes.
Term 4: African Art Project
- Introduction to the historical and cultural significance of African art, with a focus on West African design.
- Study the work of African craftspeople and their artistic traditions.
- Conduct research on the symbolic meaning of a selected African animal, creating an informed observational drawing using secondary resources.
- Review colour theory and enhance skills in using colouring pencils for detailed artwork.
Term 5: African Art Project
- Identify design characteristics within various African patterns, understanding their cultural significance.
- Learn to appreciate the physical features of lino print designs.
- Safely create a lino print block, applying correct tools and techniques for the process.
Term 6: African Art Project
- Refine lino printing skills, ensuring safe use of tools and processes to create clear prints.
- Explore how printmakers use a single motif to develop patterns and design layouts.
- Understand the differences in printmaking layouts and apply these techniques to individual projects.
Year 9
Surrealism Etching and Printmaking:
- Studying key Surrealist artists and key figures in the movement.
- Developing key vocabulary for analysing Surrealist work.
- Experimenting with various mark-making techniques in dry-point etching.
- Learning the materials, techniques, and processes involved in etching and printmaking.
- Analysis of the work of printmakers to realise potential of personal work.
- Experimenting with different experimental printing techniques to create a series of etchings.
Colour Portraits:
- Revisiting the properties of the formal elements: line, shape, form, colour, tone, and texture.
- Mastering basic operations of an SLR camera and photo editing techniques.
- Exploring different drawing techniques and applying correct facial proportions within the creation of a portrait.
- Using colour theory to create form in portraits.
- Analysis of the work of portrait artists Agnes Grochulshka and Fred Hatt.
- Exploring materials, techniques, and processes involved in acrylic painting and use of oil pastels.
- Developing key vocabulary within analysis of portrait artists and their use of colour theory.
- Reviewing and refining outcomes through self and peer assessment.
Close Ups:
- Understanding key vocabulary for analysing collage artwork.
- Exploring materials, techniques, and processes involved in creating a collage.
- Exploring materials, techniques, and processes involved in tonal drawing.
- Engaging in self and peer assessment to refine tonal artwork.
- Learning the techniques and processes of working with oil pastels.
Key stage 4
We follow the Edexcel Fine Art GCSE exam board specification.
Students studying this course will have the opportunity to develop and refine their practical skills, exploring a range of materials and techniques to express their creative ideas. They will learn how to research and develop ideas independently, use a variety of media, and demonstrate their understanding of the artistic process. Students will also focus on developing their analytical and critical thinking skills, applying relevant art vocabulary, and reflecting on the works of artists to inspire their own artistic development within this two-year course.
Year 10
In Year 10, students are encouraged to foster their creative curiosity as they work towards developing a comprehensive portfolio. This journey allows them to independently experiment with a range of materials, techniques, and processes, enabling them to refine their skills and ideas. As their portfolio evolves, students review and refine their concepts, ensuring their work aligns with their creative intentions. This culminates in the Pre-Public Examination (PPE), where students are expected to realise these intentions through the planning, experimentation, and execution of a refined creative outcome, showcasing their progress and artistic development.
Year 11
In Year 11, students continue to develop their knowledge and skills within their refinement of a variety of materials, techniques, and processes. The externally set examination project, which is introduced in the Spring of this year allows students to independently experiment and refine their work, preparing for a 10-hour exam where they will execute a refined, thoughtful outcome that reflects their artistic development.
Key stage 5
Years 12 & 13
The AQA two-year A-Level Fine Art course offers students the opportunity to express their creativity and document the world around them through various artistic mediums. Over two years, students will develop their understanding of creative processes, honing their abilities to observe, think critically, and communicate visually, verbally, and in writing. The course encourages independent work, allowing students to make discoveries through the exploration of ideas, artists’ works, and different materials and techniques.
The curriculum covers a wide range of artistic practices, including drawing, painting, mixed-media, sculpture, installation, and printmaking. A key aspect of the course is the opportunity for students to draw from the human form, as a life model is invited for drawing lessons. Drawing is an essential element of the development process, with students using a variety of materials and techniques to record their observations and source material, from initial sketches to finished pieces.
The course places great emphasis on contextual understanding and professional practice, encouraging students to investigate and interpret the work of other artists to inspire their own creative journey. Through this exploration, students will learn how to effectively communicate ideas and emotions through the organization of materials and formal artistic elements. This A Level Fine Art course is ideal for those with an adventurous, creative, and inquisitive mind, offering the skills and knowledge to pursue a variety of career opportunities in the arts.
Co-Curricular Opportunities:
We offer a range of co-curricular opportunities in Art to enhance our students' learning experience. In collaboration with the English department, students have the chance to create artwork for a poetry anthology, inspired by a specific theme. We also provide opportunities for students to work collaboratively with visiting artists, allowing them to gain insights and develop their creative skills. Furthermore, our advanced students can create artwork for designated areas within the school. Prior to creating their work, there is a discussion to determine the type of art needed for the space, considering factors such as subject matter and size. This collaborative process helps students tailor their designs to suit the specific environment. By contributing to the school's aesthetic, students develop a sense of ownership and pride in their work, while the wider school community benefits from an inspiring and engaging visual atmosphere.
Testimonials
Year 7:
"I really enjoyed Year 7 Art! Learning about things like line, shape, and colour helped me understand how to make my drawings look better. I loved experimenting with watercolours, especially after learning about Paul Klee and how he used colour in his abstract works. It inspired me to experiment with how I applied colours in different ways. One of my favourite parts was doing the tonal drawings of shoes – it was tricky at first, but I learned how to add texture and shading to make the shoes look real. It made me feel more confident in my creativity!"
"Art in Year 7 has been so fun! We have learned about different ways to draw and how to use all kinds of materials. I loved how we studied artists like Paul Klee and how he used watercolours to create vibrant, abstract pieces. That helped me understand how to blend colours and use washes in my own work. The tonal shoe drawings were a challenge, but I liked how we had to focus on the light and shadow to make them look 3D. It was cool to try printmaking too – I had never done anything like that before! Plus, I’ve really enjoyed the chance to work with my classmates and help each other out with our projects."
"Year 7 Art has helped me improve a lot. I used to find drawing hard, but now I understand things like tone and texture a lot better. The tonal shoe drawings were one of my favourite projects because I had to pay close attention to how light hits the shoes and creates texture. I also loved experimenting with watercolours, especially after learning about Paul Klee's techniques. His use of colour inspired me to try mixing tones and creating my own patterns with washes. The chance to do collagraph printmaking was awesome, and I am proud of the piece I created. I feel like I’ve learned so much about how to plan my artwork and make it my own."
"I’ve had a great time in Art this year! I have learned a lot of useful techniques, like how to draw with different pencil grades and how to use a colour wheel. One of my favourite projects was doing tonal drawings of shoes. It was interesting figuring out how to add texture and make the shoes look realistic using shading. I also enjoyed using watercolours, especially after learning about Paul Klee and how he applied colour in such creative ways. It gave me new ideas for blending colours and using washes in my own work. I also liked how we worked in groups, sharing ideas and learning from each other. Overall, I’ve become a lot more confident in my drawing and my ability to experiment with new materials."
Year 8:
"Working with clay for the first time has been such a rewarding experience! I decided to make a tile that tells the story of an Aesop fable, and I absolutely loved bringing the animals to life through modelling the clay. At first, I was a bit nervous since I had never worked with clay before, but as I learned how to shape and mould it, I felt more confident and excited about my project.”
"I really enjoyed studying African animals for this project and choosing one to develop into a lino cut. The process of learning to use the lino cutting tools was so much fun – I loved carving away parts of the lino to reveal the shape and textures of the animal I had chosen. It felt like a unique way to bring the animal to life, and the process was so satisfying as I gradually saw it come together. I was amazed at how the textures from the carving added detail. This project really helped me appreciate the art of printmaking and gave me the chance to experiment with a technique I had not tried before. I am proud of how my lino cut turned out!"
Year 9:
"Learning about Surrealism has been one of my favourite part of the Year 9 art course! I really enjoyed creating a fantasy creature. What made the project even more exciting was the dry-point etching technique. I etched my surrealist drawing onto acetate, which was a completely new experience for me. The idea that I could then print from it was incredible, and seeing my creature come to life on paper was so satisfying. It was such an interesting way to combine drawing with printmaking. This project pushed me to experiment with new techniques, and I am proud of the final result!"
I loved learning about proportion and how it helped me create a portrait from a photograph I took. Breaking down the face and its features in a simple way made the process easier. I also really enjoyed looking at how artists use colour in portraits, and it inspired me to create work in their style. Using acrylic paints this year has been one of my favourite things and I had a lot of fun working with them and learning how to layer and blend the paint colours. I feel like my skills have improved a lot, and I am really proud of how my portrait turned out!"
Year 10:
"As a Year 10 art student, one of the things I’ve really appreciated is the sense of community that’s fostered in the lunch and after-school support sessions. It is such a welcoming and supportive space where I can connect with my classmates and teachers outside of regular lessons. Whether I am struggling with a project or just need some feedback, these sessions allow me to explore my ideas freely, knowing that I have the encouragement and advice of others. It is more than just getting help – it is about sharing the creative process with others, exchanging ideas, and celebrating each other’s progress. The relaxed environment makes it feel like a creative family, and it is one of the things I will miss the most when the course is over!"
Year 11:
"Taking art for GCSE has been such an amazing experience! I have loved experimenting with so many different materials, but what I have enjoyed the most is working with paint and incorporating stitch into my pieces. At first, I was not sure how the two would work together, but it has been so rewarding to see how the textures and layers can add so much depth to my work. The freedom to explore different techniques has really helped me discover new ways to express myself, and I feel like my art has become so much more personal and meaningful. I am excited to keep experimenting and pushing the boundaries of what I can create, and I cannot wait to see where this journey takes me!"
Our Sixth Form students:
"Starting my A-Level Art course by being asked to create a piece of art for display in our school was such an exciting way to kick things off! I really enjoyed the freedom to create something that would be shared with everyone, and the whole process was incredibly rewarding. When I saw my work up on the wall of our Sixth Form Café being enjoyed by others, it was such a great feeling. It made me realise how powerful art can be, not just as a personal expression, but as something that connects with others. It was a huge confidence boost and gave me even more motivation to keep pushing my creativity.”
"These two years of A-Level Art have been such an amazing experience! One of the highlights was our trip to Lille in Year 12, where we visited some amazing and beautiful galleries. The art I saw at La Piscine Gallery in Roubaix has had a huge impact on my Personal Project. I have also really loved having access to the studio space in the art department. It has been such a great environment for independent study and having that space to work in has really helped me focus and develop my ideas. The freedom to experiment and try out new techniques has given me so much confidence, and I have been able to approach my work in really creative ways. I feel like I have grown so much as an artist, and this course has sparked my passion for art even more! I am looking forward to continuing my creative journey on a Foundation Degree at art college in September but will always remember and be grateful for the support I received at the Weald of Kent Grammar.”