Art
& Design Department
At
Chenderit School we believe that the visual arts offer the opportunity
for students to complete a synthesis of experience through the elements
of perception, thought and feeling. This illumination of experience
is basic to the education process enriching both other areas of the
curriculum and students' social skills. We feel that through understanding,
creating, making and evaluation, the student acquires more highly-developed
discrimination and judgement. We seek to broaden the students' background
knowledge and appreciation of art in a variety of genres and styles
from different cultures and times, believing that this broadens their
appreciation and understanding of other cultures, artisically, socially
and historically. This informs and enables the development of their
own creative practice. These opportunities do not just apply to students
at school, but to the whole realm of life-long learning and to the broad
spectrum of groups within Chenderit's community, that is, our partner
schools, parents, staff, community groups, local artists, local business
and industry. We are keen to ensure that these opportunities are available
to all and can become reality.
Facilities
We
have a purpose built
gallery at the front of the school. The Art and Design Department
is housed in a well-resourced suite comprising five studio teaching
spaces, a central resource room, a networked internet area of art and
design computers and large photographic dark room.
The
facilities provide students of all ages with a challenging and enjoyable
range of opportunities. These include two-dimensional work in paint,
mixed media, ICT and graphic media. Printmaking experiences include
mono, block and silk screen processes while three-dimensional ideas
are explored in a range of materials and include modelling and construction,
often using ceramic techniques.
Students have a wide range of critical study resources available to
develop knowledge and understanding. These include books, slides, videos
and CD ROM resources on art, craft and design movements, artists, styles,
periods and exhibitions. The department has resources highlighting the
art, craft and design of world cultures as well as the Western European
tradition.
The Departmental Team
- John Childs - Arts College Director (Art and Textiles)
- Tom Christy (Art and 3D and Media Studies)
- Joanna Liddiard (Art and Textiles)
- Richard Salt (Art and 3D)
- Kat Blockley (Art, Photography and 3D)
- Sue Clayton (Technician)
The staff work as a team, sharing ideas, views, knowledge and experience
for the benefit of our pupils/students. We strive to create a stimulating
environment as a point of motivation in our teaching.
Key Stage 3
At Key Stage 3 students take Art for one hour per week in mixed-ability
groups of 22-25. The sketchpad is an essential part of the department's
approach acting as both a record of the student's progress and as a
diagnostic tool with regard to a student's standard at the end of Key
Stage 3. The understanding and use of the specialist vocabulary of Art
is an integral part of our teaching.
Teachers use the Key Stage 3 course outline as a framework from which
they plan schemes of work and the learning objectives for each lesson.
The individual teacher, in consultation with the Head of Department,
also determines the fine detail of his/her own teaching rather than
using a prescriptive manual. In this way, new approaches, ideas and
contexts may be explored.
Key Stage 4 GCSE
At GCSE, as part of a broad and balanced curriculum, all students study
a creative subject, with large numbers following endorsements in Fine
Art, Textiles (printed) or 3D (OCR). Observation drawing and visual
investigation are an essential feature of the course whatever the student's
final specialism. Critical study is an integrated element and students
use a visual vocabulary to make judgements and when analysing the work
or others.
Sixth Form
Students follow the Edexcel AS/A2 Art and Design syllabus with endorsements
in Fine Art and Textiles (printed). Two large groups exist in both Years
12 and 13 and our pass rate has been 100% for several years with over
50% achieving an A or B grade. Drawing and visual investigation are
of vital importance. Visits to local, national and international galleries
are a feature of the course.
Many students proceed to Foundation Courses and BA (Hons) Degree courses
nationally. An additional aspect of our teaching is the AS/A2 Media
Studies course which is shared with English. One group exists in each
of Years 12 and 13.
