Art
The Art Department aims to provide a happy, safe, and secure place where artistic endeavour can thrive. It intends that a stimulating, supportive and efficient environment will cause all students to work hard by consent. Their work and aspirations should be valued and respected by all who use the Department. There should be trust, a sense of responsibility shared by all, and solidarity.
The Department sees it as a priority that it enlarges the students vision of the world beyond West Somerset. We must acknowledge that we are part of a multicultural nation, and that we have access through museums and galleries to a vast range of artistic styles and traditions.
There are Textiles endorsed courses at GCSE and AS/A2 Level, but otherwise our adopted areas of study are within Fine Art specifications. Art and Design practice is constantly redefining itself and we do not concern ourselves with boundaries between specialisms. Contemporary practice convinces us that definitions of the disciplines of painting, drawing, printmaking or sculpture are imprecise, forever changing and unimportant. We also encourage work in alternative media and multimedia, which will include work via the computer and photography.
We are based in seven interconnecting studios, two of which are used predominantly for Textiles, and two of which are used exclusively for the Sixth Form. The spaces are well equipped and resourced and we have a well stocked Department library of books, files, videos and slides, and excellent IT facilities. Five teachers work within the Department and there is a part time technician.
All our projects have a critical focus where students are encouraged to look at the world through the eyes of other artists and designers. There is constant reference to our collection of resources, and trips to museums and galleries in London and abroad are a regular feature of our work. The Department has an annual exhibition which is always well attended, there are student fashion shows and we take the opportunity wherever possible to show our work within the community.
There are approximately 140 students each year who take GCSE Art and Design courses and we have about 50 students in Years 12 and 13 taking AS/A2 Level. Results in examinations are consistently above the national average, especially so in the Sixth Form where they are very significantly above the national average.
The Department project structure is designed as appropriate for all projects, in Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4, and all abilities. Its content ensures there are opportunities for research, observation, developing ideas, making, and contextual study:
- Research: by recording and collecting information, as source material or as contextual study
- Observation: by working from a primary source, recording what is seen, by analysis and interpretation
- Developing Ideas: to explore by experiment and evaluation, ideas and meanings and to select appropriate ways forward
- Making: to develop skills in the use of materials, tools and techniques
- Contextual Study: by developing an understanding of the work of artists and designers and to apply knowledge to the students own work
We believe that drawing is fundamental and every project has drawing as a feature. We draw from observation, analysing and recording what is seen, and draw as a means of developing ideas by experimentation and exploration. We identify three categories of drawing. Drawing that describes, that visualises and that symbolises. Drawing is used as a tool, as part of a process, but there is also a lot of drawing in the department that is finished product.
Art: Textiles. Advanced Subsidiary AS, Advanced A2
Entry Qualifications: Minimum of 5 GCSE grades 'C' or above - one must be in Textiles or Art & Design. A good standard of written English, a true interest in the subject (including drawing), the ability to work on one's own and present work clearly.
Course Details:
Year 1 (AS Level) will be made up of 3 Units:
- Unit (1) Thematic enquiry. You will be required to work from a given starting point
- Unit (2) Expressive Study. An opportunity to explore a range of ideas and techniques
- Unit (3) Externally Set Assignment. (Practical Examination)
Year 2 (A2 Level) will be made up of an additional 3 Units:
- Unit (4) Contextual Study. Linking to your own practical work, you will produce a written/illustrated piece of around 3000 words, based on a broader study of art, craft and design
- Unit (5) Problem Solving. A design based unit of work
- Unit (6) Externally Set Assignment (Practical Examination)
Within the above structure students will have opportunities to work across the three main areas of textiles - fashion, furnishing and fine-art. The processes followed will be based on structured, printed and embellished textile techniques and students will be encouraged to approach these in a creative, art-based manner. The study of artists, designers and cultures will be paramount to practical work. This is an art course and therefore an interest in observational drawing is essential.
Next Steps: The course can lead to Further and Higher Education and to employment in research, design fashion, construction and marketing within the textiles and fashion fields. The subject is closely related to Art and Design. Students considering a career in the field of Art and Design may find the study of both subjects advantageous.