--- title: "Art" url: "https://www.st-wilfrids.org/curriculum/subjects/art" school: "St. Wilfrid's R.C. College, South Shields" --- # Art and Photography ![Art & Photography banner](https://www.st-wilfrids.org/images/gallery/curriculum-image/250623St_Wilfrid_RC_School___002-2.jpg) # Art & Photography Curriculum Creative, ambitious and visually rich learning from Year 7 through to GCSE. ![Art and Photography](https://www.st-wilfrids.org/images/lo.png) ## Why study Art? ### What Art develops - Develops creative thinking - Improves problem-solving skills - Enhances critical and visual thinking - Influences culture and society - Encourages self-expression ### Student voice “I enjoy painting in Art because I am very creative and Art allows me to show off my creativity! I really enjoy studying Ben Eine in our Protest Art project because of the colours and meaning of his work.” **Gwen, Year 9** - KS3 Art (Y7–9) - KS4 Art - KS4 Photography - KS5 Art & Photography Key Stage 3 Art – Cycle Overview *KS3 content is split across two cycles in art so that pupils can fully explore artists and their materials* Cycle 1 #### Year 7 – Yellena James & Formal Elements #### Knowledge focus Yellena James; formal elements of colour, pattern, tone and shape. #### Key skills - Shading techniques and watercolour application - Introduction to sculpture - Understanding and responding to the work of an artist #### Assessment - Yellena James research page - Shading techniques (coloured fine liner) - “Scarpace Sea Creature” final piece - Overlapped composition #### Key Vocabulary - Tone - Pencil pressure - Colour - Complimentary Colours - Primary Colours - Secondary Colours - Tint - Shade - Symmetrical - Hatching #### Year 8 – Roy Lichtenstein & Pop Art #### Knowledge focus Roy Lichtenstein and Pop Art, including links to consumerism. #### Key skills - Pop Art history and visual language - Grid drawing method - Printing techniques and portraiture #### Assessment - Roy Lichtenstein research page - Pop Art poly print - Pop Art oil pastel print - Pop Art portrait final outcome #### Key Vocabulary - Cross hatching - Roy Lichenstein - Pop art - Ben Day - Andy Warhol - Juxtaposition - Composition - Bold - Vibrant - Evaluate ​ #### Year 9 – Protest Art #### Knowledge focus Protest art, Ben Eine, and the history of protest and graffiti. #### Key skills - Typography and lettering - Interpreting and analysing protest imagery - Using mixed media to communicate a message #### Assessment - Ben Eine research page - Watercolour blending & typography studies - Protest sign and zine-making project #### Key Vocabulary - Analogous colours - Typography - Blending - Tone - Observational - Experimental - Analyse - Evaluate - Realistic - Accurate Cycle 2 #### Year 7 – Insects #### Knowledge focus Insects, inspired by Cornelia Hesse-Honegger and ideas around Chernobyl. #### Key skills - Symmetrical drawing and tonal work - Gridded drawing methods - Refining watercolour techniques #### Assessment - Cornelia Hesse-Honegger research page - Watercolour insect - Tonal pencil insect - Insect final piece #### Key Vocabulary - Tone - Pencil pressure - Colour - Complimentary Colours - Primary Colours - Secondary Colours - Tint - Shade - Symmetrical - Hatching #### Year 8 – Food #### Knowledge focus Food as subject matter, exploring the work of Sarah Graham. #### Key skills - Gridded drawing and accurate proportion - Watercolour and oil pastel application - Photography as a reference tool #### Assessment - Sarah Graham research page - Coloured pencil sweets - Gridded sweet drawing - Mixed-media food artwork #### Key Vocabulary - Cross hatching - Roy Lichenstein - Pop art - Ben Day - Andy Warhol - Juxtaposition - Composition - Bold - Vibrant - Evaluate ​ #### Year 9 – Identity Knowledge focus Identity through portraiture and the work of Mark Powell. Key skills - Facial proportions and drawing from reference - Exploring materials – watercolour, biro, tonal pencil - Interpreting and constructing meaning in imagery Assessment - Mark Powell research page - Biro pen faded images & facial features studies - Map and celebrity identity piece #### Key Vocabulary - Analogous colours - Typography - Blending - Tone - Observational - Experimental - Analyse - Evaluate - Realistic - Accurate Across KS3, students build secure knowledge of formal elements, artists and media, ready for GCSE Art & Photography. Key Stage 4 Art – AQA GCSE Cycle 1 – Coursework Development #### Year 10 – Exploring Materials Knowledge focus Exploring a range of materials and processes to develop a sustained coursework portfolio. Key skills - Developing ideas through critical thinking and artist research - Refining work through experimentation with media - Recording ideas through drawing and annotation - Creating final outcomes informed by artist inspiration Assessment AQA Assessment Objectives **AO1–AO4**. Coursework makes up **60% of the final grade**. #### Year 11 – Mock Exam Project Knowledge focus A mock exam brief that mirrors the externally set task format. Key skills - Managing a project from initial research to final piece - Targeted refinement of techniques and personal style - Preparing for timed exam conditions Assessment Mock exam assessed using **AQA AO1–AO4**, counting towards the coursework component. Cycle 2 – Externally Set Exam (ESA) #### Year 10 – Identity Knowledge focus Identity-based project preparing students for the demands of the ESA. Key skills - Independent research and source gathering - Experimenting with combinations of materials and processes - Recording and refining personal ideas Assessment Assessed using **AO1–AO4**; builds towards overall coursework (**60%**). #### Year 11 – Externally Set Exam Knowledge focus AQA Externally Set Assignment (ESA) leading to a timed final piece. Key skills - Sustained investigation from chosen exam theme - Refining ideas and composition before the exam - Completing a final outcome under timed conditions Assessment **AQA AO1–AO4**. The ESA is **40% of the final grade** and is completed as a timed exam. The GCSE Art course is structured so that Year 10 builds coursework skills and confidence, while Year 11 consolidates learning and prepares students for the externally set exam. Key Stage 4 Photography – AQA GCSE Cycle 1 – Foundation Photography #### Year 10 – Slinkachu Knowledge focus The work of Slinkachu and miniature street photography. Key skills - Understanding how to use a camera and compose shots - Planning and creating a photography project - Exploring basic editing techniques - Using photographers as inspiration for personal work Assessment - Research and analysis of Slinkachu - Recorded photography skills and edited outcomes - **AO1–AO4** contributing to coursework (**60%** of final grade) #### Year 11 – Mock Exam Project Knowledge focus Mock exam brief mirroring the photography ESA. Key skills - Sustained photographic investigation from a starting point - Refining editing and presentation techniques - Preparing for timed ESA conditions Assessment Assessed through **AO1–AO4**; forms a major part of the coursework element (**60%**). Cycle 2 – Hands & Externally Set Exam #### Year 10 – Hands Knowledge focus The theme of “Hands” as a vehicle for developing ideas and technical control. Key skills - Investigating meaning and symbolism in imagery - Experimenting with lighting, composition and editing - Recording and annotating photographic experiments Assessment **AO1–AO4**, contributing to the coursework and mock exam profile. #### Year 11 – Externally Set Exam Knowledge focus AQA Photography Externally Set Assignment leading to a timed practical exam. Key skills - Independent research and photographer analysis - Experimenting with materials, editing styles and presentation - Preparing and executing a final piece in a **10-hour exam** over two days Assessment **AQA AO1–AO4**. The ESA counts for **40% of the final grade**. Cycle 3 – Fantastic & Strange (Y10) #### Year 10 – Fantastic and Strange Knowledge focus Exploring surreal, imaginative and experimental photography. Key skills - Sustained investigation informed by photographic and artistic sources - Advanced editing and image manipulation - Recording and reflecting on creative choices Assessment **AO1–AO4**, contributing significantly to mock-exam-style assessment in Year 10. Key Stage 5 Art & Photography #### Year 12 Knowledge focus Add KS5 Year 12 content here. #### Year 13 Knowledge focus Add KS5 Year 13 content here. **[For Key Stage 5 Curriculum information please click link here to our Sixth Form Curriculum](https://st-wilfrid-s-rc-college-south-shields.schudio.com/sixth-form)** ![St. Wilfrid's R.C. College, South Shields](https://files.schudio.com/st-wilfrid-s-rc-college-south-shields/images/logo/logo-footer-with-diocese-02(2).png) ### St. Wilfrid's R.C. College, South Shields Temple Park Road South Shields Tyne & Wear NE34 0QA 0191 456 9121 ### Useful Links - [Term Dates](https://www.st-wilfrids.org/term-dates) - [Policies](https://www.st-wilfrids.org/policies) - [SEND Information](https://www.st-wilfrids.org/send) - [Sixth Form](https://www.st-wilfrids.org/sixth-form) - [Website Terms](https://bccet.org.uk/website-terms/) - [Accessibility Statement](https://bccet.org.uk/accessibility-statement/) - [Privacy Notice](https://bccet.org.uk/privacy-policy/) ### Social Media - [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/stwilfridsrccollege) © Copyright 2025–2026 St. Wilfrid's R.C. College, South Shields School & Trust Websites by [ ![Schudio logo](https://www.st-wilfrids.org/img/logo/light.png) ](https://www.schudio.com/)