ART & DESIGN

The Art Department at Lawrence Sheriff School is a member of the ‘Creative Faculty’- joining facilities and resources with the Technology Department. The Art Department actively promotes the notion that making, whether through paint, pen, pencil, wood, film or I.C.T is both a cognitive and creative act, and should be viewed in such a manner. Much of the work required to establish a true profile for all arts subjects has been undertaken, but further effort is always required if the pupils’ are to achieve their full potential.

Physical Environment

The department consists of one main art room (with additional small sixth form extension), store/library/I.C.T. room, kiln room and second teaching room (T2) that is unconnected and shared with the Technology Department. When additional rooms are required, for example, during periods of examinations, the Electronics area is used. Facilities to do some ceramics and printing are shared with Technology in the second teaching room (T2). The workshop, which is of 1960's origin and has recently seen developments to make the area more attractive to students, safer for staff and ancillary helpers, is also used by members of staff and sixth form students for preparing stretchers, boards and working on three dimensional work.

Ancillary Support

The Art Department has no direct ancillary staff but as part of the Creative Faculty; enjoy the support of both ancillary staff responsible for resistant materials and electrical testing in the Technology Department. Without their continued support the department would face many difficulties.

Teaching Staff

The department currently has two full time teachers the Mr M Hickling (Head of Department, Second in Creative Faculty and Head of Upper School) who delivers KS3, KS4 and AS/A-Level Art & Design (including Critical and Historical Studies) and Mr J Hankin (Head of Citizenship) who delivers KS3 and AS/A-Level Art & Design and KS4 Technology-Graphics (Years 11). With the introduction of two HP computer systems (networked) and two TIME computers (not networked), and two Toshiba laptop computers into the department and closer links with the I.C.T. Department and in particular with the Technology Department at KS3, the Art Department has been brought in line with National Curriculum guidelines and recommendations.

Main Art Room (Including store/library/I.C.T. room)

Equipment trolley and trays (1), Table tops (11- some stored), Desks (18-some stored), Chairs (28), Screen print table (1), Plan chest (3), Folder racks (2), Small tables (7), Light box (1), Filing cabinet (1), Corner table (1), Misc. tables (2), Drying rack (1), Coat rack (1), Tables 6 x 3 (2), Tables 6 x 3 with two draws (2), Compressor 4 outlet (1), Compressor 1 outlet (1), Filing cabinet 4 draw (3), Guillotine (1), Trimmer (1), Kiln (1), Easels (25), Kick wheel (1), Clay bins and trolley (2), Display boards 6 x 4 (6), Poles and bases 7ft (8- storage), Dustbins large (2), Bin small (1), HP computers (2-networked), TIME computers (2- not networked), Toshiba laptops (2), Epson A4 printer (1), HPS 500 printer/scanner/copier (1), Mustec scanner (1), Artec scanner (1), Disc security case (2), Digital sony FD92 camera (1), Coffee table and four chairs (1 set), Computer chairs (1), Kettle (1), Coffee machine (1), Projector (1).

[Note: the main Art room is expecting the delivery of new tables that will comply with Health and Safety requirements, as well as a three metre storage rack for A1/A2 folders. The Department is also awaiting quotes for a heavy metal extractor fan that will enable the kiln to be put into action. This hardware was funded by the management through a health and safety budget for the academic year 2004/5]

Art Room (T2)

Filing cabinet (1), Guillotine (1), Clay bins and trolley (2), Dustbins large (2), Tables 10 x 4 (2), Tables 4 x 4 (2), Screen bay and spray (1), Damp cupboard (1), Pug mill (1), Equipment trolley and trays (1), Trolley (1), Whiteboard (1), Cameras (3).

*Reference should also be made to the I.C.T. Department, Technology workshop and the Library as a whole school resource.

OCR – GCSE in Art and Design (1910)

The Art Department undertakes the OCR's Art and Design (1910) as it builds on the knowledge, skills and understanding established by the National Curriculum Orders for Art and Design.

This specification combines the necessary breadth and depth of study with the freedom of choice required to accommodate a wide range of abilities, material resources and staffing specialisms.

Candidates working to these specifications are encouraged to develop an awareness of cultural heritage, cultural differences and personal preferences through traditional or contemporary response.

The scheme of assessment consists of one tier covering the whole of the ability range grades G to A*. Candidates achieving less than the minimum mark for grade 0 will be ungraded. The course is assessed as follows:

Candidates are entered for a broad-based specification.

The broad-based specification, Art and Design 1910, requires candidates to submit work from two or more areas of study: Fine Art, Graphic Design, Photography, Textiles and Three-dimensional Design.

The scheme of assessment consists of two components - coursework and the terminal examination. Candidates entered for the Full Course must submit three units of coursework in addition to the examination.

The examination requires candidates to produce a unit of work in response to a given starting point and to the four assessment objectives, with provision of up to six weeks for preparatory, research and developmental work with teacher guidance.

Candidates will have up to ten hours in which to complete their response independently. Three hours must be consecutive.

An examination paper with twelve starting points will provide the stimulus to be used as a brief, theme, context or problem.

AS/A-Level Art & Design

The department has chosen to follow the Edexcel AS/A-Level Art & Design course as it is felt that the syllabus attempts to give a positive assessment of students skills, knowledge and understanding, rather than looking at the negative aspects of a students’ work.

Most students undertake the 8030 and 9030, AS and A-Level General Unendorsed Art & Design course but since 2003 a small number have been entered for the 8035 and 9035 endorsed Graphic Design specification.

The courses undertaken at AS/A-Level have been devised to provide students with the opportunity to develop skills necessary at this stage of their development. At present the department has the facilities and staff specialisms to cover painting, drawing, graphic design and 3D design, and some photography, printing and sculpture. However, the department reserves the right to enter students for the endorsed syllabus (which is subject specific), who have very fixed interests albeit at a very early stage of their education. Final decisions for student entry are not made until February or March in the year of the examination.

This qualification encourages an adventurous and enquiring approach to art and design. Successful students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of past and contemporary art and design practice and be able to produce artwork that embraces a range of ideas. This specification gives our students- flexibility, a focus on art and design practice with integrated theory, knowledge and understanding, and is accessible to a range of levels of experience and ability. The work is assessed as follows: