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learning - departments - art...

Art At Meden...

About The Department

The Art Department is part of the Expressive Arts Faculty which includes Art, Music, Dance & Drama. Each of these areas has its own head within the department. The Department has four well-equipped Art rooms, a kiln and a small ICT suite with Photoshop software. At present there two permanent full time Art teachers, one part timer and one part timetable.  We encourage pupils to work in a wide range of 2D and 3D material.

The Context of the Department

Pupils are taught in mixed ability groups at both the key stages.  At KS3 pupils have one lesson of Art each week and KS4 pupils have 5 periods over a two week timetable.  At AS/A2 level students have 9 periods over a two week timetable.  At KS4 we deliver the Edexcel Art & Design (Unendorsed) syllabus.  Levels of attainment are good within the context of the school.  In both years 10 and 11 over 80 students are taking Pure and Applied Art GCSE courses. Last years results were 60% A-C.

At Post 16 we deliver AS/A2 Art & Design.  There are currently two classes in each of year 12 and 13.  Our students achieve good grades and many go on to pursue Art Foundation courses.

Principle Aims & Objectives

The Art Department at Meden aims to develop the enjoyment and commitment to learning as a means of encouraging and stimulating the best possible progress and the highest possible attainment for all pupils. We aim to build on all the strengths, interests and experiences of our pupils and to develop their capacity to learn and work independently and collaboratively.

Art at Meden aims to provide a rich and varied curriculum, giving pupils the necessary opportunities to acquire practical skills, to solve problems and enable pupils to think creatively, imaginatively and critically. The combination of a broad based curriculum coupled with a developed critical awareness of art in a cultural context enables students to achieve success that is not just rewarded in terms of exam results by empowering students and giving them the necessary tools to pose and answer questions in adult life.

Strategies

The underlying philosophy of the department aims to facilitate pupil centred learning via a thematic approach.  This enables pupils to gain access to the content and understanding of schemes of work thereby making a personal response. Department staff endeavour to produce interesting and stimulating projects.  Well planned schemes of work play a large part in the creation of a successful health learning environment.  Crucial to achieving high levels of attainment is the department’s ability to deliver the curriculum through strategies which provide differentiated learning across the ability range.  Teacher expectations within the department are high and regarded as paramount to good discipline.