About
the Art and Design Department
Art
is a vehicle that conveys a multi-cultural world,
without barriers or prejudice, contributing to
an unbiased learning experience.
The
art department aims to provide pupils with an environment
that encourages pupils to express their ideas and
insights of the world around them, increasing confidence
and self awareness.
Art & Design
in the Lower School
During
Key Stage 3 pupils develop their creativity and imagination
through sustained activities, helping to build on
and improve their practical and critical skills.
Teaching includes investigating and making, exploring
and developing ideas, evaluating and developing work. |
 |
During
the Key Stage, pupils are taught knowledge, skills and
understanding through:
• |
Exploring
a range of starting points for practical work including
themselves, their experiences and natural and made
objects and environments. |
• |
Working
on their own, and collaborating with others, on projects
in two and three dimensions and on different scales. |
• |
Using
a range of materials and processes. |
• |
Investigating
art, craft and design in the locality, in a variety
of genres, styles and traditions, and from a range
of historical, social and cultural contexts. |
Art & Design
in the Upper School
GCSE
Vocational (Double Award)
The
aims of the course are to provide a broad education as
a foundation both for training leading to employment
and for further and higher education in Art and Design.
The focus of the course is based mainly on work related
learning. Pupils will be taught some of the skills they
will need in the work place or in further education.
Through the use of project themes pupils will explore
materials, techniques and technology. Pupils will develop
their creative understanding and produce a varied and
exciting range of final products. Examples of project
themes are: ceramics, costume, fashion, furniture, gardens,
interiors, illustration, jewellery, packaging, posters,
shoes, t-shirts, exhibition and display work and design
for theatre, film and television.
The
GCSE Vocational course is a full course of two years
comprising of three components:
Unit
1 |
2D
and 3D visual language (33.3%) |
Unit 2 |
Materials,
techniques and technology (33.3%) |
Unit 3 |
Working
to project briefs (33.3%) |
GCSE
(Single Award)
The
aims of the course are to develop creative and imaginative
powers, and the practical skills for communicating and
expressing ideas, feelings and meanings in art, craft
and design.
Pupils
are required to work and explore the following areas
of Fine Art:
• |
Drawing/painting |
• |
Sculpture,
land art or installation |
• |
Print
making |
• |
Mixed media |
• |
Photography |
Through
the use of project themes pupils will demonstrate and
develop investigative, analytical, experimental and interpretative
capabilities, aesthetic understanding and critical skills.
GCSE
is a full course of two years comprising of two components:
1. Coursework 60%
2. Controlled test 40%
Pupils
are encouraged to adopt an integrated approach to the
critical, practical and theoretical study of art, craft
and design which includes first hand experience of original
work on both GCSE courses. At
the end of the two years, there is a final exhibition
of all pupils work.
The
Design Department at Northgate High School
Arts
College status has brought many benefits to Northgate,
not least the formation of a new Design Department, created
through the merging of Art and Design and Design and
Technology. Whilst each subject maintains its own curriculum
identity, the sharing of knowledge, skills, expertise
and resources is enabling the provision of a unique educational
experience for Northgate pupils. Central to this experience
is the development of 'creativity' both as a means of
expression and as a fundamental ingredient of innovation.
Design
Department Facilities and Accommodation
The
department is continually developing its facilities and
resources to meet the needs of pupils and has benefited
recently from the Arts College status. We currently have:
1 |
Graphics
Studio |
2 |
Art
Rooms |
• |
Ceramics
facilities |
1 |
Food
Technology room |
1 |
ICT
Suite |
1 |
Photographic
Darkroom |
3 |
Multi-media
Workshops |
• |
Northgate
Exhibition Centre |
Extra
Curricular Activities
The department
is committed to extending and enriching all pupils' experiences
within the broad field of 'design.' In addition to the
regular lunchtime and after school clubs we have numerous
extra curricular events throughout the year. Practising
artists, designers and museums are drawn upon to run workshops
and activitiy days. Upper school pupils broaden their understanding
of the world of design through a variety of visits.
