Our aim is to make learning exciting.  We have a very experienced team, and a visually stimulating purpose built environment to work in. Students have access to a variety of tools, machinery and resources to make a wide selection of art, food and design products. We have modern, up to date ICT facilities and computer aided design and manufacturing equipment including a laser cutter, cutter plotter, 3D printer, digital cameras, iPads, scanners and colour printing facilities.

As well as class based work there are opportunities to visit exhibitions and work with specialists from art galleries and industry. We encourage students to be proud of their work and enter competitions. Arts Award qualification at Bronze and Silver level. The faculty is open at lunchtimes and after school so that students can use the facilities and expertise of the staff to extend their studies or catch up on missed work.

Key STage 3

Art

Students will work with a wide variety of high quality materials and experiment with techniques such as, print making, painting, digital manipulation and clay work as well using more traditional drawing skills in their work.

All students will have their own personal sketchbook in which to work experimentally, and will also produce final high quality pieces for assessment. Students will look at the work of professional artists to develop their analytical skills and provide stimuli for their own art work.

Design Technology

An active approach is taken to help individuals build their confidence with a range of materials and making methods. Whilst doing practical work students will get the opportunity to use equipment and machinery including a laser cutter, cutter plotter, 3D printer, vacuum former as well as traditional hand tools.

Food Preparation and Nutrition

Students are provided with the opportunity to explore a wide range of skilful recipes, adapting them to suit their tastes and cooking capabilities.  Recipes are selected to compliment the structured learning which is interspersed between practical lessons and covers a wide range of topics from diet and health, food science to food provenance.

Key Stage 4

Students can opt to take GCSE Fine Art, Design Technology or Food Preparation and Nutrition. All subjects are examined by the AQA board.

Students studying GCSE Fine Art will work independently to create personal and individual work exploring a variety of media including painting, sculpture, printmaking, digital manipulation and photography. There are two components, a portfolio of work worth 60% and an externally set task worth 40% of the marks.

Students wishing to explore 3D Design at GCSE follow the AQA Art and Design specification. This allows students to develop their own design ideas through researching relevant contextual sources for inspiration and having first hand experiences of making their own innovative products. They have the opportunity to work independently using a range of materials, tools and machinery. There are two components, a portfolio of work worth 60% and an externally set task work 40% of the overall grade.

GCSE Food preparation and Nutrition teaches students about the following sub topics; food preparation skills, food, nutrition and health, food science, food safety, food choices and food provenance.  50% of the final GCSE grade is awarded for coursework and 50% written exam.