Staff: Miss Cara Keegan
KS3 Curriculum Overview:
At St Joseph’s College, our curriculum is designed to transform students into proficient practitioners across a diverse range of Fine Art disciplines. By the end of Key Stage 3, our goal is for every student to have a deep grasp of the Formal Elements of Art, embedded through consistent practical application and critical analysis. We move beyond the sketchbook to explore a broad spectrum of media, including the tactile nature of clay, the precision of printmaking, and the modern possibilities of digital design, alongside a rigorous foundation in drawing and painting. By learning to interpret and analyse the visual language of both their own work and others, our students develop the technical control and contextual understanding needed to create meaningful outcomes. We empower our pupils to become part of the wider narrative of Art in society, responding to the world around them with confidence, purpose, and a unique creative voice.
Year 8: Formal elements, Clay Creatures, Pop Art, Natural forms & the environment.
Year 9: Endangered animals, Sweet treats, Cultural Arts & Patterns
Year 10: Graphic Design, Portraiture, Urban Art & Architecture
GCSE curriculum overview:
COURSE CONTENT: Explanatory portfolio, Investigation of the creative and cultural Industries and externally set assignment.
YEAR 11: Component 1 Part A: Explanatory Portfolio 25%:
The focus of Part A is for students to develop their ability to experiment in two different disciplines. Students learn through practical exploration of practitioners, the contexts they work in, and the processes they use. Students develop their ideas by responding creatively to others’ work. Students present a portfolio for assessment which demonstrates learning and progress.
YEAR 12: Component 1 Part B: Investigating the Creative and Cultural Industries 35%
Students will complete one practical task, set by the teacher. Students will build on the knowledge and skills gained in Part A and will learn about the different roles and work practices used in production of art, craft and design in the creative and cultural industries. This may include practical opportunities, for example workshops. Students will document research and use drawing to support the development of their work. An outcome will be produced at the end of the portfolio.
Component 2: Externally Set Assignment 40%
Students will complete work in response to a stimulus paper that CCEA release in the final year of the course. They will complete at least 20 hours of preparatory work in response to the theme in the paper and will also produce and complete a final outcome based on their preparatory work within a set period of 10 hours under exam conditions.
