Alban Church of England Academy

Curriculum: Art & Design

The aim of the Art department is to inspire and encourage an appreciation of Art and Design from a variety of cultures, periods and genre. The course is based on the main elements within the National Curriculum: Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Ceramics and Mixed Media work, allowing each child to experience handling a wide range of materials and media through the application of different techniques.

Pupils are encouraged to explore and develop their own ideas within flexible design briefs that allow personal interpretation and creativity. Through the investigation and making of art, craft and design pieces, pupils expand their knowledge and understanding of the subject year on year, working both individually and collaboratively.

During Key Stage 2 pupils’ work focuses on developing knowledge and understanding of theories, techniques and methods of creating artworks. Through experimentation with a variety of media and materials, both 2D and 3D, pupils develop an effective foundation on which to build in Key Stage 3. Project work during Years 7 and 8 gives pupils the opportunity to apply the techniques and methods learnt in Key Stage 2 to more independent work, allowing informed choices to be made in the creation of personalised art works.

Across both Key Stage pupils have the opportunity to work individually and collaboratively

Year 5: Egyptian Art, Bugs (3D), Landscape.
Year 6: Moody Art, Crazy Shoe (3D), Op Art.
Year 7: Antoni Gandi (3D), Portraits (Artist style), Mythical Beasts (3D).
Year 8: Gargoyles and Grotesques (3D), Michael Craig Martin Study, Surrealism.

All projects are grounded in extensive investigative work which culminates in the production of high quality final pieces across the Key Stages. Sketchbooks are used effectively to develop ideas and allow experimentation with techniques and media. The inclusion of ICT activities provides a valuable learning experience for pupils of all abilities and enables many to view their own work in an alternative way.

The Art department continually aims to ensure that all pupils, regardless of their ability, can experience success and satisfaction through their art work, whilst enjoying the learning opportunities presented to them along the way.

Curriculum Overview
Autumn Term	Spring Term	Summer Term
Year 5
Egyptian Art	Bugs	Landscapes
Suggested areas for further investigation: Tutankhamen Ancient Egyptian Gods Egyptian Jewellery Patterns Hieroglyphics Mummification Amulets Egyptian Symbols Precious Metals	Suggested areas for further investigation: Microphotography Anatomy of insects Biological drawings Artist Mo Lea Lifecycles Natural History Museum Cecil Higgins Museum	Suggested areas for further investigation: The National Gallery Tate Britain Tate Modern Local environment Cecil Higgins Galley Natural textures Natural structures Flora Fauna
Year 6
Moody Art	Crazy Shoes	Op Art Printing
Suggested areas for further investigation: Expressionism The meaning of colour The National Gallery Facial Expressions Artist Edvard Munch Moods Emotions Feelings Communication	Suggested areas for further investigation: Designer Vivienne Westwood Shoes through the ages Sculpture Shoe shops Areas of personal interest/hobbies	Suggested areas for further investigation: Markings of wild beasts Artist Bridget Riley Artist Victor Varsarley Patterns Magic Eye art Contrast Black & White images
Year 7
Tea Light Holders	Pop Art	Mythical Beasts
Suggested areas for further investigation: Architect Antoni Gaudi Reptiles Natural Textures Natural Patterns Clay Spain Barcelona Natural objects	Suggested areas for further investigation: Artist Andy Warhol Artist Roy Lichtenstein Packaging design Product branding Printing Typography	Suggested areas for further investigation: Myths and Legends The animal kingdom Monsters Unusual beasts Extinction Animal features Animal textures Animal colours
Year 8
Gargoyles	Still Life	Surrealism
Suggested areas for further investigation: Gargoyles Grotesques Green Men Illustrator Brian Froud The Labyrinth Churches Cathedrals Notre Dame	Suggested areas for further investigation: Electrical objects Personal belongings Artist Michael Craig Martin Milton Keynes Gallery Colour theory	Suggested areas for further investigation: Artist Salvador Dali Artist Rene Magritte Artist Samy Charnine Idioms Unusual and extreme environments Self portraiture The unexplained