Art - Curriculum Intent

The art department at Oakbank aims to develop students who are knowledgeable, self-assured and confident; life skills that can support them to flourish and achieve personal success in all walks of life. We aim to allow students the freedom to create their own artworks, based on study and research, coupled with a growing proficiency in practical skills and expressing thoughts with relevant vocabulary.

Ever wondered why employers like creative people?

Questioning skills that occur naturally through artistic endeavour, are essential in life, and are supported through creative learning. Artist research and visual questioning promote interrogative skills which provide students with the opportunity to share opinions and respect those of others. Oakbank aims to equip students with the soft skills needed to understand the world around them, the skills of visual dexterity, and the ability to de-code and create meaning in an increasingly visual world.

Will I get better at art?

By learning and practising skills and techniques throughout KS3, students have the opportunity to refine their abilities and become better practitioners as a result. Students are encouraged to use a sketchbook as a place to make mistakes, and discuss ideas, with themselves and others. The recalling of knowledge empowers students to ‘speak like an expert’ through peer evaluation and class discussion, promoting confidence and articulation. In doing so, Oakbank seeks to promote patience and tolerance, behaviours that will serve our young people well as they move towards further study at GCSDE and A level, or in the workplace, as worldly individuals.

Implementation:

Through learning, colour theory and drawing skills (year 7) students will build upon their experience (monochromatic and analogous colour schemes years 8 and 9) to establish a repertoire of knowledge and skills that support the understanding necessary to create and refine their own output. Practical proficiency is shown through personal outcomes at the end of research and investigation exercises. These experiences, coupled with skills in artist/contextual investigations, materials handling, (blending and layering, year 8) and refinement of drawing techniques and application (year 9), mean students are well placed to continue to further study at GCSE.

What if I’m not good enough? I can’t draw!