Art, Design And Technology

Click the picture above to view art galleries from Churston and other SWAT schools

The importance of Art, Design and Technology in the school curriculum should not be under estimated.  Given the pace of technological change and the increasing role of technology at work and in the home, it is essential that students leave school familiar and comfortable with technology in its various forms.  The ethos of the department aims at guiding students through visual awareness, development and exploration of media, techniques and materials from pencil observational drawings to 3D construction.

In the same way that industry tackles design problems using ‘teams’ of specialists drawn from different areas, the National Curriculum encourages a cross-curricular approach to the teaching and learning of Art, Design and Technology in schools.

ART, DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY – KEY STAGE 3

During their first three years in the school students will work in five specialist areas of the Art, Design and Technology Department:

• Art
• Food Technology
• Graphics
• Resistant Materials Technology (workshop based)
• Textiles Technology

Work will involve designing and making activities which will lay the foundation for those who wish to take up one of the subject specialisms at GCSE.  Major focuses of attention will be the process of design, materials and their properties, health and safety, the use of ICT, sustainable design materials and the ability to communicate ideas.

In Art, work will be theme based with a specific area of focus each term.  Drawing skills will be developed alongside an awareness and appreciation of the work of artists, artefacts and cultures from around the world.  A variety of media and techniques will be used from pencil to collage, painting to printing and ICT and CAD will also be used to both inform and experiment with experiences and observations.

Design projects are structured in such a way that there will normally be a ‘product’ outcome.  Students will become familiar with the major areas of a designers work in the hope that concepts such as research, proposing design ideas, developing ideas and modelling become second nature.  At all times an effort is made to support theory with practice in order that students will ultimately achieve a level of capability that they can transfer to completely new problem situations.

A fundamental aim of the department is to help students become aware of the social, moral and environmental implications of designing and making.  Recycling, the use of renewable materials and raising awareness of the by-products of certain manufacturing processes would be covered as part of KS3 courses for example.

Key Stage 4 (GCSE Stage)

In years 10 and 11 students work towards a GCSE award in a chosen specialism within the department.  There will be five courses offered, these are:

• Fine Art
• Graphic Products – Design and Technology
• Resistant Materials – Design and Technology
• Textiles (Art and Design)
• Food Technology

All of the GCSE courses above are assessed in two ways;

• Controlled Assessment    60%
• Written papers/ Practical Art Examination 40%

Timetables for completion of the various sections of coursework are issued to students and it is important for everyone concerned that these deadlines are met so that work can be given preliminary marks by staff and students can then make improvements to their work.

If you would like further information on GCSE courses please contact Mrs James or Mr Mudge, through the school office.

 Key Stage 5 (AS & A2)

The department currently offers:

• Fine Art
• Fashion and Textile Design
• Product Design (Graphics, Resistant Materials & Textiles)

Students would be expected to ave obtained a grade C or above in a relevant GCSE to study AS/A level.

September 2011