Art & Design
Art and Design is available to all boys in the School as a Foundation Course in the first three years.
The Foundation Course is designed to give all boys as much experience as possible working with a specialist teacher in a studio environment using a variety of materials and processes.
For a double period each week boys are taught techniques and how to produce imaginative practical work based on their research and their own ideas. This fosters in each individual a sense of achievement, selfconfidence and aesthetic awareness. With choices of painting, drawing, graphics and printmaking, 3-D sculpture and ceramics there is usually something at which each individual can shine.
In addition boys are introduced to a whole range of research techniques based in books and on the Internet. They learn how to use Art and Design’s specific visual language and terminology. Understanding is as important as doing. These core skills are seen as important as a basis for progress to the next stage.
The GCSE in Art and Design is allocated two double periods per week. It is a broad based exam that builds on the skills and knowledge acquired in the first three years. Working on 3 different coursework projects over two years boys develop a personal approach to their work with quite an individual style. Research into a wide range of images from different cultural heritages is essential to support the practical work. Once again ideas are expressed in a wide range of materials and processes. Boys are encouraged to experiment and develop unique and original solutions to the exercises set. This is worth 60% of the total marks. An additional examination project called the Controlled Test is produced towards the end of the second year worth 40% of the marks.
Boys are also prepared for Art and Design at AS and A2 level in the sixth form. During the course of a year two practical projects will be produced as Coursework (30% each) and one exam project (40%). At A2 level one of the Coursework Units is a ‘Personal Study’.
Head of Department - Mr R Flintoff - rf@warwickschool.org