The teaching of Art at Clare Mount, supports the belief that we use the child centred approach,  we provide a safe and supportive environment for the children to learn and grow at a pace that suits their abilities. We encourage the children to take responsibility for improving their own skills by modelling patience and self-reflection on a regular basis. This desire for improvement creates passionate lifelong learners. Through the teaching of Art, we aim to exercise the children’s adaptability by encouraging them to work both independently and collaboratively and with a wide range of media. We strive to equip every child with a set of transferable skills which will enable them to explore a vast range of cultural topics through a creative medium. The children are exposed to a range of skills and techniques used for both visual and expressive forms of Art which they gain and practise progressively throughout their school career. We understand the importance of critical evaluation and we value the informed opinions of our children by encouraging them to respond to the works of others and express preference when studying the works of established artists. From the start, the children will develop an understanding of the importance of reflection, opinion and feedback. These critical thinking and evaluation skills will be used by all children both within and beyond their school life.

 

Year 7

 

The projects undertaken  in year 7 are designed to help students engage and feel safe and settled. We create a manageable transition into the art room when the pupils are ready. We focus on health and safety in the art room and learning where all the equipment is kept. Pupils will build on their skills week by week with focus on repetition of key skills including correctly setting up and clearing away their work space independently. Pupils will aim to create a Henri Rousseau inspired collage by the end of their time on the carousel, developing their water colour painting , drawing, acrylic painting and collaging. Pupils will also have opportunities to develop their fine motor skills with activities that include using a ruler and fine liner to cutting out and sticking.

 

Year 8

 

In year 8 pupils build on knowledge and skills they have learnt in the previous year. We ensure all students are familiar with health and safety surrounding the new mediums and techniques they will be exploring. Pupils will learn both new skills and will be expected to be more confident and independent with skills and techniques they learnt in year 7. They will learn about the famous artist Vincent Van Gogh and how his brush stroke techniques changed the way people looked and thought about colour. Pupils will have opportunities to explore colour using acrylic paints with a focus on Van gogh brush strokes in ‘Starry Night’. As they refine their skills and navigate through challenges they will build their perseverance and adaptability. Students will collaborate and critique each other's work which helps build their communication to support their emotional growth. They will become familiar with using keywords and correct keywords and language when peer and self assessing.

 

Year 9

 

In year 9 students are encouraged to use more of their own ideas for the creative processes. They are encouraged to experiment with ideas and take risks .In this project, students will explore the exciting world of abstract and expressive art, developing their own creative responses through colour, pattern, and line. The unit begins with an investigation into the vibrant and textured work of Steven Brown, focusing on how he uses colour and shape to convey personality and emotion. Students will then move on to explore Kev Munday’s bold, street-art-inspired style, learning how composition and storytelling can transform everyday imagery into lively, contemporary artwork. Building on these ideas, the project will introduce the continuous line movement, where students will study artists such as Shantell Martin and Mr Doodle, experimenting with free-flowing lines and automatic drawing to express individuality and rhythm. Through sketchbook work, experimentation, and personal reflection, students will develop their own final piece that celebrates creativity, confidence, and the power of expressive mark-making. Using their  knowledge on artists and artistic movements they gain wider understanding of the subject leading into KS4 if they were to choose art as a GCSE option.

 

KS4

Year 10 & 11

 

The GCSE AQA Art, Craft and Design course encourages students to explore, experiment, and develop their creative potential through a broad and engaging programme of study. Over the two-year course, students will complete a range of projects that build both technical skill, new concepts and understanding. In Component 1, the first project, Underwater Textures, provides a rich starting point for students to investigate surface qualities, light, form, and colour inspired by the natural world. This theme encourages close observation and experimentation with a wide range of materials and techniques. The second project offers students the opportunity to independently select their own theme, allowing for personal expression and the development of a unique artistic voice. Throughout both projects, students will research and respond to a diverse selection of artists, designers, and craftspeople, using this as inspiration to refine and develop their own ideas into resolved final pieces. Component 2, the externally set assignment, challenges students to apply the skills and understanding they have developed to produce a final body of work under exam conditions. Together, these components promote independence, creativity, and critical thinking key skills that prepare students for further study in the visual arts and beyond.