Art & Resistant Materials 

“You can’t use up creativity, the more you use, the more you have” Maya Angelou

 "Creativity now is as important in education as literacy, and we should treat it

with the same status."  Sir Ken Robinson

Our Curriculum Intent

The multicultural nature of our students gives us an exciting opportunity to explore Art & Design Curriculum to the full. The diverse nature of our student body at Preston Manor is reflected within our Curriculum.

It is important that our students have an understanding of different cultures and this is encapsulated in topics such as Islamic Geometric patterns, Indian & African fan Sculpture, European contemporary and traditional art, British and American Pop Art, Community based Art ( Diwali, Holi & Henna ). Much of our stimulus also reflects our ever changing demographics ( e.g. Windrush and Eid ) felt in Brent.

The Art and Design Technology Department, within the Faculty works to develop a love of learning, maximise creative potential, develop empathy, and promote acceptance and awareness in all pupil’s diversity in Brent.

The Art & Design Technology curriculum sets high expectations and allows students to explore interesting, relevant, sensitive and thought provoking topics. Participation in practical lessons is at the core of all that we do, and we value the contributions of the different cultures within the school and its wider community. Through a series of carefully selected and sequenced modules at Key Stage 3 we create pathways that develop and challenge our pupils. We teach a broad and balanced curriculum that is open to different cultural viewpoints and stimuli. We understand the students are excited by their own personal, political, social and world events. Throughout history, Artists have used personal responses as a catalyst for creativity - we recognise this.

Throughout the Art & Design Technology curriculum students develop their understanding and application of key concepts, movements and historical events ( e.g. Spanish Civil War ) These concepts are used as tools for students to make sense of, and understand the content that is delivered, thus preparing them for further study.  This includes classical, abstract, modern and world art and art history, alongside styles that pupils have ownership of outside of the classroom (Graffiti). We work hard to develop the whole child, by providing opportunities to enrich cultural capital. Exposing pupils to professional practice via collaborative work with our creative partners alongside visits to a range of galleries and exhibitions that link to the set works studied.

Art - Key Stage 3

Our curriculum at KS3 embraces and celebrates the diverse backgrounds of our student body but instils an in depth awareness of British born artists whose work is displayed in British Museums/Galleries. We want our students to embrace and develop a love of learning for Art and design which is why we offer a broad and balanced curriculum.

This is at the core of our KS3 as we have selected themes, for example year 8 design their own 3d home using Google sketch up, a tool that stretches and develops curiosity and creativity.

Students are introduced to a variety of experiences throughout these themes that explore a range of Fine Art Media, processes and techniques. Students should be using a variety of methods and media on a variety of scales that suits a given brief, mood or situation. The use of IT (Adobe suite and Google sketch up) is thoroughly encouraged to allow equal opportunity for all of our pupils. In addition to this, we study female artists such as Zahra Hadid, an Iraqi-British architect and Georgia O’keefe. This ensures that all of our pupils are well rounded as they leave KS3.

Written and oral literacy is developed throughout the curriculum especially when pupils are critiquing their own work or an artists work.  By the end of Key Stage 3 we aim to have developed the holistic artist with the skills and understanding to both successfully undertake the rigours of GCSE and be able to contribute to the artistic and cultural life of the whole school.

Future careers could include becoming a fashion designer, architect, sculpture, art historian, museum creator, ceramicist, Illustrator, graphic designer, website designer and many more.

Resistant materials - Key Stage 3

In resistant materials students we challenge our pupils by learning about workshop safety, how the casting process works, how to mark out, cut out and finish off metal and wood. We have high expectations of our pupils as we build on their existing use of maths throughout. Pupils enjoy the subject as they get to practice their use of certain tools and refine their finishing touches. They will understand the properties of each group of materials that are used in the projects. During the module we develop the whole child as they follow the design process of research, specification, design and the practical task of manufacture.

Future careers could include becoming an architect, a product designer, a carpenter, a jeweller and many more.

Art & Graphics - Key Stage 4

Art & Graphics at GCSE aims to enable students to develop and extend their knowledge and understanding of specific Art Movements and cultural changes. Students are encouraged to become thoughtful artists or designers, which is both creative and adaptive with the ability to flourish in a range of environments.

They will understand, recognise and be able to evaluate the elements of these creative subjects in both familiar and ‘unfamiliar’ outcomes e.g. Students will be given the opportunity to work with media foreign to them.

The Curriculum challenges them to engage in Artistic enquiry in order to develop as independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers.

We have selected our specification to develop our students’ intrigue and love of Art & Graphics.

For Art students, there is an emphasis on practical and critical activities that demonstrate their understanding of different styles, genres and traditions and techniques knowledge, skills and understanding. Students get the chance to visit art galleries, exhibitions and participate in extracurricular activities and national competitions as well as develop their own individual style.

The Curriculum is designed to motivate Graphic students, through developing communications skills, This allows pupils to work according to industry standards ( e.g Mac Technology ). Students are continuously encouraged to share ideas and work collaboratively. They then develop their ideas by creatively exploring various layouts, suitable typefaces and colour palettes to answer a defined design brief.

Our curriculum combines academic rigour and challenge with enjoyment and interest. Students are able to develop autonomy and independence as the curriculum promotes wider Art appreciation to enhance understanding and literacy skills ( e.g. Pupils are taught how to use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create their final digital outcomes ) There is a personalised learning programme that takes into account individual needs and styles.

Art & Graphics - Key Stage 5

At Key Stage 5 our curriculum intent for both Art and Graphics is to develop an understanding of Art and Graphical mature complexities and to foster creativity.

We support students in learning how to find a creative solution to a problem using a range of interdependent topics. The Curriculum promotes a love of learning through more personalised and intimate adult responses - creating a foundation course approach to Art. Students are provided with an in depth education in the idea of artistic abstraction so that they are in a position to use their skills to positively contribute to society in the future promoting autonomy. They are constantly using problem solving skills to produce ideas that meets the needs of their audience and the overall intended purpose.

Alongside the curriculum the Art Department systematically develops the transferable skills that earn Art & Graphics its reputation as an academic and rigorours subject highly esteemed by employers and Art universities alike.  They work on producing a portfolio for interviews, for this includes personal studies and life drawing - the process is a life changing approach.  Students develop their ability to write analytically in extended pieces, handle evidene critically, research and present material about Art Movements, Social and Political commentary through the Arts.  Students build further upon a number of skills which they have developed at Key Stages 3 and 4 in their studies.  The also construct a 3000 work personal illustrated thesis.