Art & Design

Course Overview

KS3 Art & Design Course Overview

At KS3, Art & Design at LGGS is built around the belief that Art is for everyone. Through nine carefully designed, unique projects over Years 7–9, students gain a rich and varied experience of art, craft, and design. Each project introduces different media, techniques, cultural references, and artistic traditions, allowing pupils to discover their strengths and build confidence in their creative abilities.

Our inclusive, step-by-step teaching approach ensures that every student can succeed, regardless of prior experience. Pupils are introduced to a wide range of traditional and contemporary techniques including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, digital media, collage, and textiles. Alongside practical skill development, pupils engage in critical thinking, analysing the work of diverse artists to deepen understanding and inspire their own outcomes.

By the end of KS3, students will have developed technical competence, creative confidence, and an appreciation for the cultural and social relevance of art. They will be well-prepared for the demands of GCSE Art & Design, with a broad portfolio of work and a solid foundation in the formal elements.

Year 7: Foundations and self-discovery

· Unit 1: Diagnostic Project – What is Art?

Students are introduced to the key formal elements of art: line, tone, shape, space, pattern, texture, and colour. A range of media and techniques are explored to help students identify their strengths. Through critical studies, they evaluate the work of others and begin to understand how artists communicate meaning.

· Unit 2: Portraiture – Exploring Identity

Students learn how to draw accurate facial proportions and use mixed media to express personality and meaning. Influenced by a range of artists, the project moves from drawing and painting to Photoshop and 3D wire sculpture. Pupils begin to explore self-image, symbolism, and critical interpretation.

· Unit 3: Personal Histories – Inspired by Sarah Fishburn

Focusing on creative play and personal narrative, students explore mixed media collage, textiles, and typography. Inspired by Fishburn’s layered style, they produce a memory piece that reflects individual experiences, shifting focus from sketchbook process to final outcome.

 

Year 8: Cultural contexts and creative innovation

· Unit 1: Indian Art and Textile Design

Pupils explore the rich visual culture of India, focusing on mandalas, henna patterns, and textile design. They develop a personal design to be sublimation-printed onto fabric and embellished with embroidery and sequins, blending traditional techniques with modern technology.

· Unit 2: Movement and Animation

Exploring how movement can be captured in art, students engage with Futurism, flipbooks, thaumatropes, and stop-motion animation. They experiment with drawing and digital tools, using artists like Duchamp and Disney as creative springboards.

· Unit 3: Surreal Worlds

Students delve into Surrealism, analysing works by Dali, Magritte, and Mutu. They produce imaginative compositions using photomontage, drawing, and painting, learning how to distort reality and express the subconscious through dreamlike imagery.

 

Year 9: Art history and personal direction

· Unit 1: A Journey Through the 'Isms'

Pupils take a fast-paced tour of major art movements, learning how historical events and cultural shifts influenced art styles. Themes of portraiture and still life are used as recurring forms, leading to a final piece that creatively interprets art history through a personal lens.

· Unit 2: Landscapes and Recycling

Focusing on environmental themes, students create mixed media landscapes using recycled materials. Architecture from the local area is explored in contrast with the natural beauty of the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. Pupils use a range of media including Photoshop, collage, and printmaking.

· Unit 3: Natural Forms – GCSE Preparation

A workshop-based project that prepares students for GCSE Art. Students investigate natural forms through clay modelling, photography, digital manipulation, and texture studies. The emphasis is on experimentation, observation, and personal interpretation, laying the foundation for confident coursework development in Year 10.

 

What can I do to support my child?

Please encourage your child to visit galleries and see Artwork in the flesh

BBC Bitesize - Art & Design KS3

Covers formal elements, techniques, and artist studies with videos and quizzes.

Tate Kids

Creative activities, how-to guides, and artist profiles designed for young learners.

The Art Story

In-depth guides on art movements and styles, great for Year 9's 'isms' project.

 

Drawing & Technique Practice

Circle Line Art School (YouTube)

Easy-to-follow tutorials for drawing skills including perspective and tone.

ArtyFactory

Free lessons on portraiture, still life, and cultural art forms.

Textiles & Design

Embroidery and textile surface design tutorials.

 

Photography and Digital Art

Canva

Great for digital collage, layout, and typography.

Photopea 

Free Photoshop alternative for digital image editing.

 

Art History & Critical Studies

Arts and Culture 

Khan Academy - Art History 

 

How will students be assessed?

Pupils studying KS3 Art & Design are assessed through a structured marking system designed to monitor their progress in knowledge, skills, and understanding. Each student’s sketchbook is marked out of 30 every half term and full term, providing regular feedback on their development. At the front of every book, a clear assessment framework maps out the specific criteria being measured for each project, including whether the learning is demonstrated convincingly, clearly, or adequately. For example, in the Year 7 portraiture unit, pupils are assessed on their ability to understand facial proportions and apply this knowledge using shapes, tone, line, and texture to create a 3D effect.

Pupils are also given opportunities to reflect on their work, identifying their strengths and areas for improvement, which supports personal development and goal setting. All marks are recorded by the class teacher and used to inform progress discussions and future learning needs.

Exam Board and details

Exam Board: AQA - Art, Craft & Design (8201)

Specification:

AQA | Art and Design | GCSE | GCSE Art and Design (Art, craft and design)

Course Overview

This is a creative and flexible course which gives students the opportunity to explore a wide range of artistic techniques and processes across different disciplines, including drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, textiles, sculpture, mixed media and digital work. The course is designed to develop students' technical skills, creativity, critical understanding, and personal responses to themes and artists.

Coursework: 60% of final grade

Component 1: Portfolio of Skills

This makes up 60% of the final GCSE grade and includes two major projects, each culminating in a final piece. Students build their portfolio across Years 10 and 11 through sketchbook development, experimentation, and final outcomes.

· Portfolio of Skills in Natural Form (Sept – Dec, Year 10)

Students complete guided workshops designed to build their confidence with materials, techniques, and artists. This foundational phase introduces a broad range of skills and helps identify individual strengths.

· Project 1: Natural Form (Dec, Year 10 – April, Year 11)

A structured project exploring artists linked to nature. Students begin with set tasks and then progress into more independent, imaginative responses. Final outcomes reflect personal interpretation and development.

· Project 2: Versus (April, Year 10 – Jan, Year 11)

A student-led project that begins with selecting two contrasting words. These themes are explored individually and later synthesised into one final, personal outcome. Emphasis is on creativity, decision-making, and meaning.

All coursework is completed by January in Year 11.

Externally Set Assignment (Exam): 40% of Final Grade

Component 2: Externally Set Assignment

· Issued: January, Year 11

· Preparation Time: 12 weeks

· Final 10-Hour Exam: April, Year 11

Students respond to one starting point from the AQA paper. After developing their ideas through artist research, experimentation and planning, they produce a final outcome during the supervised 10-hour practical exam.

 

How will students be assessed?

Students are assessed on their ability to:

· AO1: Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources.

· AO2: Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes.

· AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses.

· AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language.

Books are assessed at every half and full term, offering verbal and written feedback in their books. Pupils will receive much verbal feedback that will logged in their book.

Exam Board and details

Exam Board: AQA - Art, Craft and Design (7201)

Specification:

AQA | Art and Design | A-Level | A-level Art and Design (Art, craft and design)

Course Overview

This is an exciting and highly creative course for students who enjoy problem-solving visually and want to develop their practical skills, personal ideas, and creative confidence. The course allows for a broad approach where students can explore fine art, textiles, photography, printmaking, mixed media, sculpture, and design. Students are encouraged to take risks, reflect critically, and develop a personal, independent style.

Course Structure

•  60% Coursework:

· Portfolio of Skills (Autumn Y12): Taught workshops

· Project 1 (Student’s choice – Y12 Nov to April)

· Project 2 (Linked theme – Y12 April to Y13 Dec)

· Each project includes sketchbook work and a final piece

 

• 40% Externally Set Exam:

· Set by AQA in February of Year 13

· Students choose one theme and complete 12 weeks of preparation

· A 15-hour supervised exam (usually over 3 days) is used to create the final piece

 

How will students be assessed?

Work is marked against 4 equal Assessment Objectives (AOs):

· AO1 – Develop ideas through artist research

· AO2 – Refine and experiment with materials and techniques

· AO3 – Record observations through drawing, photography, annotation

· AO4 – Present a personal and meaningful final outcome

Each objective is marked out of 24 (total 96 per component).

Written Work

· Part of the coursework includes a 1000–3000 word personal essay, analysing artists, explaining ideas, and evaluating progress.

· This supports the personal investigation and is submitted in Year 13.

Homework and Independent Study

· Students are expected to complete 5 hours of homework per week.

· Art rooms are open for 6th form study periods at lunchtime on set days for extra support.

Support and Feedback

· Feedback is given regularly through verbal discussions, written comments, and sketchbook prompts.

· Students are expected to respond to feedback to improve and develop their work.