Mrs. J. Weston (Head of Department)
Mrs. T. Beaney
Mr M Redden (Technician)
Art is taught in two studios on the top floor of the school, with lovely views over the rooftops of Dover to the hills beyond.
Years 7 and 8 have two single lessons of Art. Year 9 has one single lesson of art. Classes in KS3 are taught in their form groups and are mixed ability. All girls have a sketchbook for weekly homework, making notes during lessons and for collecting information and research. Years 10 and 11 have three single lessons. Years 12 and 13 have three double lessons.
We encourage all students to work to the best of their ability in a relaxed but busy atmosphere in the studios. We like to discuss work in progress, and give individual and group tuition to introduce new ideas or techniques. We encourage class members to support each other, praising other’s achievements and helping one another. This makes for a very positive and friendly atmosphere in the studios.
At Key Stage 3, girls are introduced to the formal elements of art, line, colour, form, texture, perspective; drawing, painting, printing, textiles and 3D work. They research into the lives of many and varied artists and are given an introduction to their styles of work. Girls are also shown how to link their own art with poetry, literature, music, drama, history and world events.
Girls taking GCSE Art are taken on a visit to Quex Park, Birchington at the end of Year 9, to launch their Year 10 Culture Unit and introduce them to the animals and artefacts collected in Africa. They are then given holiday homework to complete over the summer.
At Key Stage 4, girls follow the WJEC (Welsh Board) course. They complete two units of work, plus their final examination unit. For 2007/08 we are trying a new idea - whereby year 10 girls have the option of completing a Textiles course in year 10, followed by the Art and Design course in year 11.
This year's visits are to the Knitting and Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace (year 10) and the new Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea (year 11).
Each Autumn half term we have an educational holiday. So far, we have been to Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam and New York - and this year we are going to Paris.
At Key Stage 5 girls follow the WJEC AS and A2 course. This year we have introduced Photography, alongside their studies for Art and Design, and this has been highly successful. From September 2008 the layout of the course will change slightly:
AS Unit 1 will create a Coursework Portfolio, based on themes and subject matter, developed from personal starting points.
Unit 2 is the Controlled Assignment (exam).
AL Unit 3 Personal Investigation -as Unit 1, above, but also includes a written element of no less than 1000 words.
Unit 4 Controlled Assignment (exam)
Visits for Key Stage 5 include a day's drawing and photography at Dungeness, visits to both Tate Galleries, in London, and to other local exhibitions.
