Overview
Students studying Art and Design at St Marylebone develop the resilience to plan, implement, review, amend, complete and evaluate their work from start to finish. They learn that outcome isn’t everything, they learn patience, collaboration, leadership, self-discipline, fair and reasoned ways to evaluate themselves and others. They have a sense of pride in their work, learn how to give and receive feedback, how to offer appreciation and criticism, how to explore and see things from more than one view, to interpret and reinterpret. The art studios offer the opportunity to explore different methods, materials, and ways of working, including painting, drawing, sculpting, ceramics, printmaking, designing, stitching, weaving and more. Each project has a combination of experiences, materials, methods and artists including those: from different times, places, cultures, different genders, faiths, and beliefs.
Key Stage 3. Years 7-9
In KS3 students develop the technical and critical skills to navigate through their art projects with elements of independence. With increased skill level, making more sophisticated artist links and generating ideas from their own collected resources, and ideas, Increasing complex use of materials and processes. Painting, drawing, printmaking, textiles and 3D is directly taught each year in Key Stage 3, with progression in skill, control, mark-making and expression. From starting with the skills and characteristics needed in Y13, we have simplified these and begin to introduce them to Y7. Each unit includes critical thinking through looking at three artists as part of their art history component; One is a historical artist that changed perceptions, one from modern history that developed the thinking, and one artist currently living and working in the UK.
Key Stage 4 GCSE. Years 10-11 Fine Art & Art Textiles
Why Choose Fine Art?
- You have enjoyed Art in the lower school, particularly in Year 9, and have found it challenging and rewarding
- You have welcomed the balance it gives to your other academic subjects
- You have enjoyed the ‘doing’ and ‘making’ aspects of Art
- For some of you, it has been your favourite subject that you know you will pursue through to A-Levels, you cannot do A-Levels without completing GCSE Art.
- Most of the people who work in the following areas have some qualification in Art, many at degree level: graphic design, advertising, product design, interior design, illustration, fashion, web page design, textiles, set design, film and television
Course Content
The Art & Design GCSE course enables students to really develop their visual thinking and ‘making’ skills. The course is divided into three or four projects, each lasting about a term and using the following media:
- Painting and Drawing – bigger and more complex work than at KS3, using various sources and mixed media, including acrylic and oil paint, oil pastels, and collage.
- Ceramics – more complex techniques and processes are used, including using specialist glazes, and the building of much bigger, more personal pieces.
- Photography and Printmaking – all students use photography techniques and many types of printmaking so they can modify images to help them develop their ideas.
VISITS AND VISITORS
Trips to galleries and museums are an important part of the course. The trips to the Tate, Saatchi and other museums are a valuable resource and part of the coursework. Art history is embedded into the course; you study the art most appropriate to your individual theme.
EQUIPMENT
Some investment in basic Art equipment is required to complete tasks at home; approximately £20 will cover the two-year course.
Exam Board – Edexcel
Final Grade – Grades 1-9
Structure of Assessment
For Year 11 mock and final examination pieces, students choose their best media and working style. GCSE grades are awarded based upon an end-of-course exhibition for which students select their best work together with their final examination piece – completed during a two-day examination. Although there is no written examination, there is an important written element when reflecting on each unit of completed work.
Why Choose Art Textiles?
- You have always been interested in ‘making’ art.
- You are interested in fabrics.
- You welcome the balance it gives to your other subjects.
- Some of you already know you would like to pursue this as a career.
- You cannot do A-Level Art/Textiles without completing a GCSE first.
Most of the people who work in the following areas have some qualification in Art, many at degree level: graphic design, advertising, product design, interior design, illustration, textile artist, fashion, web page design, set design, film and television, costume design.
Course Content
The Textiles course enables students to develop their knowledge and understanding of textiles processes. The course is divided into four projects in which students learn to manipulate fabric by batik, transfers, silk painting, tie-dyeing and wax resist, or embellish fabrics by embroidery, appliqué, felting, and decorating with buttons and sequins. Students study the work of different textile artists as part of each project. Students produce their own fashion or home textile fabrics and use this to create final items including hats, scarves, wall hangings and cushions.
Visits and visitors
Trips to galleries and museums are an important part of the course. The department works closely with the Royal College of Art and every year KS4 Art and Textiles students get the opportunity to visit one of their interim exhibitions and participate in a skills-building workshop. Students regularly visit exhibitions at the V&A Galleries to help with their coursework.
Equipment
Some investment in art equipment will be required to complete tasks at home; about £20 will cover the two-year course.
Exam Board – Edexcel
Final Grade – Grades 1-9
Structure of Assessment
For Year 11 mock and final examinations, students choose their best media and working style. GCSE grades are awarded based on an end of course exhibition for which students present their best coursework completed over the two years and a final examination piece completed during a two-day examination. Although there is no written examination, there is an important written element and evaluations for each project.
Key Stage 5 A Level. Years 12-13
Examination Board: Edexcel
Units Taken: Fine Art 9FA0
Link to Specification: Click here.
Course Content
In Fine Art we work broadly and creatively within the realm of fine art media; through the disciplines of painting and drawing, printmaking, sculpture, lens-based image-making.
Students follow a dynamic course structure that focuses on skill development, whilst at the same time encouraging the expression of individual creativity.
Students are required to visit a range of contemporary art galleries and museums to support their developing ideas and attend weekly life drawing sessions held on-site.
We offer a biennial school art trip to New York City.
Skills Gained from Taking this Course
The aims and objectives of the Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Fine Art are to enable students to develop:
intellectual, imaginative, creative and intuitive capabilities investigative, analytical, experimental, practical, technical and expressive skills, aesthetic understanding and critical judgement independence of mind in developing, refining and communicating their own ideas, their own intentions and their own personal outcomes an interest in, enthusiasm for and enjoyment of art, craft and design their experience of working with a broad range of media knowledge and understanding of art, craft, design and media and technologies in contemporary and past societies and cultures an awareness of different roles, functions, audiences and consumers of art, craft and design.
St Marylebone Entry Requirements
To gain entry into the sixth form at St Marylebone School, students must gain a minimum of five 9-6 grades at GCSE and a 5 grade in English and Maths GCSE.
Subject Specific Entry Requirements
Grade 6 in Art or Art Textiles GCSE.
Entry Suggestions
Students interested in Art need to have:
- experience of working with a broad range of media, including traditional and new media
- analytical and experimental skills; critical and contextual understanding
- the ability to independently develop their own ideas
- an interest in, and enthusiasm for art, craft and design
IMPORTANT: Students who have not studied Art or Textiles at GCSE are not eligible to study Fine Art or Textiles at A Level.
If you are made an offer, you will be expected to complete the following before your first lesson in September:
- Go to a gallery and create an A3 gallery sheet including a study in pencil or pen made whilst standing in front of a piece of art that interests and inspires you. Add annotation around the drawing to show ideas and thoughts that go through your mind whilst looking at the work.
- Take a set of 5 photographs as a response to the theme or composition of the artists’ work that you studied in the gallery. This could involve setting up a scenario and then photographing it or going to a location to take photos. Make sure at least 3 of these photos are close up and show the detail of the object/ idea you are investigating.
- Create one sustained A3 study or response from 2 of these photos (it can be a drawing, painting or sculpture) in any media that suits you.
- Self-reflection task: Write about which areas of your GCSE work you felt most proud and confident. What went really well? Write about which areas of your GCSE work you struggled with. Where do you need to improve your AS? What is it that fascinates you and what would you like your art to be about? Create an A3 page with images supporting your writing (minimum of 500 words).
- Buy or even better make a small sketchbook and create a visual diary over the summer holiday. Try to sketch every day for about 15 minutes. Explore different media and techniques. For inspiration look at the Access Art link: http://www.accessart.org.uk/?p=13725
Resources Needed for this Course:
All resources are provided, but students are asked to pay subs.
