Art and Design
Paper tearing tower building mark making jelly sculpting water colouring canvas stretching story telling paint smearing trees blowing sound recording word creating fabric stitching colour copying warhol repeating ink dripping space invading slowly looking bodies moving laugh alouding video filming photo printing wire bending people expressing things hanging wobbly drawing alternative thinking memory jogging
In Art, we keep an open mind to discovery. We pride ourselves on being a breeding ground of creativity, aiming to provide students with the best experience possible in the subject. We work with a wide range of materials which include drawing and painting, printmaking, textiles, sculpture and photography. Originality and independence of thought is paramount - students learn to think and act as artists and designers whilst appreciating other art works and understanding the context in which they are made.
In addition to an outdoor plaster room there are four spacious and bright studios, one of which is equipped with two printing presses. We also have a reading and research room which has an excellent selection of books, DVDs and computer software. We subscribe to a number of monthly Art periodicals such as Modern Painters, Frieze, Art World, Crafts and Canvas.
We believe that there is no substitute for studying Art at first hand. With the emerging and thriving contemporary Art scene in Dubai we enjoy regular trips to the Bastakyia, DIFC and Al Quoz galleries. Year 11 students enjoy an excursion to the Mussandam Peninsular and Year 13 students have benefited from a dhow drawing trip along the Dubai Creek. Each year we also hold our own Art Exhibition displaying works by GCSE and A Level students.
To comply with good practice and to ensure continuity and progression, it is a requirement that students keep a work journal at GCSE and A Level for each unit. The journal is a combination of a sketchbook and a time-based record. The form of the journal will reflect the student’s individual approach and the contents will provide evidence of the student’s ability to address the assessment objectives of developing ideas, experimenting and recording as well as making informed connections with the work of others. The journal is a vital tool in supporting and stimulating the artistic process and has a major role in the production of preparatory work through offering a context for exploration and discovery.
Course outline for Key Stage 3
Each group in KS3 works in two blocks of 5-6 weeks, receiving three Art lessons a week; these move in a cycle with the Drama and Design and Technology Departments.
Students develop their imagination through sustained creative activities. These help them to build on and improve their practical and critical skills and extend their knowledge and experience of materials, processes and practices. Students engage with art, craft and design in the contemporary world and from different times and cultures. Whilst a large proportion of art work is done outside of a journal, students are also required to document their thoughts, processes, research and homework in a journal.
Course outline for GCSE
There is a clear progression to GCSE Art and Design from the Year 9 Art course: students who are prepared to work hard independently as well as in class to develop their skills and understanding will find the GCSE fulfilling, rewarding and fun. They need not feel that they are exceptionally talented artists already, as ability often reveals itself and develops in Year 10.
We follow the Edexcel Art and Design syllabus as it is an excellent framework for students to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding using a wide range of materials and processes. The content of the syllabus is accessible to the whole range of experience and ability. Assessment is via a mixture of coursework (60%) and an externally set assignment (40%).
During Year 10, students develop one unit of coursework, based on a theme such as ‘Reflections’ or ‘Natural Forms’. This is designed to introduce, and then strengthen, the range of students’ practical and analytical skills across a wide range of media. Students learn how to integrate their ICT skills to create or modify images as well as using it as a research tool. The study of the work of other artists, as it relates to their own work, is built into projects and students need to be prepared to read about Art in general and to document their findings. The compilation of sketchbooks or journals is therefore an essential part of the course.
In Year 11, students produce a second unit of coursework with a different theme from that of Year 10. The Externally Set Assignment starts in March with preparation being done over an eight-week period with a final piece being produced under exam conditions within a ten-hour time limit. All work is then exhibited by students for internal marking and external moderation by a visiting examiner from the UK.
For further information about the syllabus, please follow the link:
http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gcse/gcse09/Art/Pages/default.aspx
Course outline for A Level
This course encourages an adventurous, open-minded and enquiring approach to Art. Successful students can demonstrate an understanding of Art from a range of time periods and cultures and are able to produce practical work that embraces a variety of ideas and experiments. The course presents an opportunity for students to produce highly personal creative work and to pursue individual interests. It is vital that students are able to work independently and that they are well-motivated and enthusiastic about Art in all its guises.
Students work on one coursework unit per year, followed by a second unit which is assessed through a timed examination. We aim to develop practical skills in drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture, constantly referring to as many sources and other artists as possible. ICT and photography are integrated as research and presentation media and an appropriate working vocabulary is extended throughout the course. This is a real opportunity to explore new and traditional materials and techniques at a higher level.
For further information about the syllabus, please follow the link:
www.edexcel.com/quals/gce/app-gce/art/Pages/default.aspx