The Art Dept Is Situated in a Purpose Built Block with Three Well Equipped Studio Style Classrooms
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Art The Art Dept is situated in a purpose built block with three well equipped studio style classrooms. There is a large display area, a resource study area and team room. The Art department's motto is “Challenge, Inspire, Achieve". We aim to develop the creative potential of every student whatever their ability and celebrate their achievement in a range of ways. Key Stage 3 Curriculum KS3 pupils are taught in mixed ability groups and follow an exciting and inspiring Art curriculum. They will be introduced to new artists and experiences encouraging them to make an informed and creative response in their own work. This approach will prepare them for the GCSE course offered in KS4. Year 7 Year 7 begins with an exploration of the ‘Basic Elements’ of Art within a theme. The pupils will look at drawings by Van Gogh to guide and inform them. They then take on a group project creating a colourful banner, again inspired by an artist, this time Gustaff Klimt. In the third term we look at the Art of another culture, Japanese Joman Pots and pupils make their own fantastic coiled clay container. Year 8 Year 8 starts by looking at the way Artist’s use colour with purpose and meaning. The pupils work with paint mixing and making sophisticated colours observing the way colours respond to each other. They plan and create a painting showing a personal response to an artist they have studied. The course then goes on to become more experimental and media based inspired by some observational drawing pupils create a collage and paint outcome. As a group the pupils plan a site specific piece of work which requires each student to make a small clay bird. They look at the work of the contemporary artist Claire Twomey. Key Stage 4 Curriculum At GCSE level the curriculum is designed to build skills, confidence and the ability to develop as an artist. Through careful observation and challenging pupils' thinking they are able to make decisions more clearly than they did in the earlier years. It is important that our pupils develop as independent learners. Pupils are encouraged to work from primary sources to give them the opportunity to see, feel and observe situations for real. This knowledge enhances their work and makes a personal response more meaningful. Drawing as a means of recording is promoted within the department. In addition to teaching time we run 'GCSE Studio time ' every lunchtime and after-school one day a week. The department is open for pupils to ask for help and have the opportunity to extend their coursework. We welcome and encourage pupils to make the most of the expertise the Art teachers offer and the excellent facilities we have to work in. Other Activities The Art department offers a variety of extra-curricular activities In KS3 we run seasonal workshops throughout the year for the pupils to try different activities. Some are skill based looking to develop techniques that pupils are finding difficult, others to extend confident pupils. Pupils take part in local community events such as decorating a Christmas tree for the display in Holy Trinity Church in December and exhibiting in the Rayleigh Art trail. In KS4 we enrich the curriculum ad given the pupils the opportunity to work in three dimensions by organising a whole day workshop in the Summer term of year 10. The pupils learn a range of new techniques and enjoy the length of time and space they are given to create a sculpture. We encourage the pupils to visit Galleries, local ones as well as those in London to see Art for real. Places such as Kew Gardens, The Natural History Museum, The British Museum and the Victorial and Albert Museum provide rich and stimulating sources for cultural inspiration. As mentioned previously the department is open to give the pupils opportunities for independent learning. Business StudiesThe Business Studies Department teaches students how to understand the stimulating and complex world of Business, how it operates internally and its interaction with an ever changing environment. The Business Studies Department aims to achieve the following: * A rewarding and stimulating learning experience for students. * The learning and application of business studies theory to the world of today. * Specific and measurable learning outcomes in preparation for the examination. * A broad range of transferable skills and useful knowledge in preparation for further study and/or working life. The Business Studies Department consists of a large, dedicated and resourced based classroom on the ground floor of the Tower building. The teaching room is well equipped with a computer for each student, featuring monitored access to the internet and school intranet. A learning resource used to good effect is a screen projector with an integrated computer, holding a variety of business studies programmes. DVD business films are shown at regular stages throughout the course. Key Stage 4 Curriculum How is the course assessed: * Theme 1 Exam at the end of year 11 * Theme 2 Exam carried out at the end of year 11 Delivery will be through case studies and requires you to apply business theories and concepts and make decisions explaining your reasons. Various resources are used in order to allow you to show initiative and originality such as topical business DVDs and newspaper updates to bring the theory to life. You will have the opportunity to participate in various trips and visits to enhance your learning. Business Studies is taught in a networked computer room and the units will be completed using IT with you using various computer applications including word processing, spreadsheets, databases and desktop publishing. IT skills are not assessed but have a strong cross-curricular link. Unit Assessment method Time Percentage of Grade Theme 1: Investigating External exam 90 minutes 50% small businesses Theme 2: Building a External exam 90 Minutes 50% Business Pupils do find the subject challenging and must be prepared to work hard and be resilient to gain the top grades for this course. Dance Dance is a creative and inspiring subject which allows pupils to develop independence and confidence through working together to create exciting and engaging work. Key Stage 3 Curriculum In Year 8 pupils are taught in tutor groups and have one timetabled lesson per fortnight. Units of work include: Parkour – Pupils will learn a set work and try compositional tasks based on the art of free running. (Cross curricular links to Geography) Guernica – Based on Picasso’s Painting, this unit allows pupils to see how other art forms and historical events can be powerful stimuli for dance. (cross curricular links to Art & History) Dance by Chance- Exploring processes and structures in choreography using Merce Cunningham’s method of composition. (Cross curricular links to Mathematics & Music) Trust Me! - Using weight sharing exercises pupils will explore the technique of contact improvisation, incorporating themes and ideas from ‘Swansong’ by Christopher Bruce. (Cross curricular links to English Literature & SFL) Key Stage 4 Curriculum GCSE Dance focuses on the aesthetic and artistic qualities of dance and the use of movement to express and communicate ideas and concepts through the inter-related processes performance (30%), choreography (30%) and critical appreciation (40%). Pupils will explore a wide range of techniques and professional dance works to complete the four units set out by the AQA specification. Other Activities All pupils will have the opportunity to take part in the following activities: Theatre Trips and Workshops - The department offers pupils the chance to view a wide selection of live performance, which includes trips such as Billy Elliott, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, Mamma Mia!, The Lion King and The Royal Ballet Company. Dance Show - At the end of each academic year, pupils that have been studying dance will have the opportunity to perform their work to a large audience in a special show for their peers, parents and members of the school’s wider community. Drama The aims of the Drama Department are to stimulate, encourage and maintain lasting pupil curiosity, interest and enjoyment in Drama and Theatre. Department staff endeavour to create an atmosphere where pupils wish to learn, so that they come to enjoy Drama and are active participants in it. Lessons take place in the purpose built Drama studio, the Dance Studio, The Dining Hall and the Main Hall, which includes a proscenium arch stage. Key Stage 3 Curriculum KS3 pupils develop an understanding of Drama as an art form and subject in its own right, with a body of knowledge and skills that can be used to create performances. Topics are chosen that also allow pupils to engage in the use of Drama as a tool for exploring issues that are both personal and relate to the community and society in general. In Year 7 the course is a basic introduction to Drama for students who may never have had experience before. The course aims to take the students through work that is both thematic and is designed to teach some of the basic skills required to produce drama. In Year 8 Drama forms part of a carousel of performing arts subjects, alongside Dance and Music. This structure allows us to further develop students’ skills, knowledge and understanding and make clear link between the arts subjects, including shared vocabulary and performance elements. Through the maturation process students develop both the content, and manner of presentation of their work, to a greater level of creativity, insight and polish. Key Stage 4 Curriculum Students choosing to continue their study of Drama follow the Edexcel GCSE Drama Specification 2016 (1DR0). Skills and approaches that have been introduced during Key Stage 3 are further developed through the exploration of more demanding and challenging themes.