Mrs A. Askham Teacher of Art	Miss M. Craske Teaching Assistant

Art is always a popular option at KS4, so we aim to create a challenging and creative environment in which our students can succeed. A number of these students become so enthused with the subject that they study it beyond MHS and on to further education.

We are keen to involve students in ‘extra curricular’ events and to enable them to become aware of ‘Art and Design’ in the wider context, expanding students’ knowledge and understanding personal skills.
Our students produce artwork which contributes to an ‘International Travelling Art Exhibition’ with connections with other European schools.
Our students are encouraged to visit to environments outside the classroom as well as galleries and studios.

Year 7
Year 7 currently have 1 lesson per fortnight. Over the course of the year we develop skills in a wide range of media and assess students’ levels as they begin secondary school, having come from a number of primary schools with varied Art teaching at KS2. We also work with other departments on cross curricular activities on Flexi Learning Days

 

Year 8
In year 8 we are able to build upon the skills acquired in Y7, through themes or projects. ‘Portraits and Masks’ involves students in understanding and observing facial features and studying masks from other cultures. ‘The making of’ masks uses their knowledge and understanding to design and manipulate clay (ceramics) and decorative work. We study the paintings of Gustav Klimt and students develop their own artwork based on observing the natural environment and landscape.


Year 9
Currently students have one lesson per fortnight. We encourage more independent work from students through three main projects; ‘Fish and Insects’, ‘Sweets and Advertising’, and ‘Myself’. By taking responsibility for some of their own learning they begin to develop the skills necessary to succeed in KS4 at Art GCSE. GCSE ‘option choices’ feature partway through the year  so students become aware of their interests and capabilities in Art.
 

 
KS4
GCSE Art and Design (unendorsed). Exam board EDEXEL
This is a two year course comprising of 3 lessons per week and some time spent by students on homework
Coursework begins at the start of the course in September of y10 and continues throughout y10 and y11, until the final exam in April of  year 11 Students are required to express themselves using a range of media, in both two and three dimensions, in response to broad themes or ideas.  They are also expected to keep a work journal/sketchbook for each assignment, to show evidence of the development of their ideas to its final outcome, responding and analysing artists and designers who have connections with their own personal work.
Internal assessment and feedback to students occurs throughout the two years  
Coursework assignment (s) =   60%
One final exam with preparation  = 40%
  

Internal assessment and feedback to students occurs throughout the two years. Final assessment takes place after the exam and is in the form of an exhibition, as well as a folder of work containing coursework sketchbooks and work journals.
 

The final award will be :
A*, A, B, C, D, C, D, E, F, G