Department of Art & Textiles

The Art department at Townley has long been a flourishing, diverse and exciting place to work for students and staff alike. Our desire is to ensure all students fulfil their creative potential in the areas of Art, Craft and Design.

The Art department strives to ensure curriculum balance and is continually developing a multi-disciplinary approach to the work we produce. The Art department develops strong links to the community, higher education, as well as practising artists and designers, the Saatchi gallery and Marriott Hotels.

We have a clear policy with regards to the exhibition of Art, Craft and Design throughout the school, which showcases artworks demonstrating the immense pool of artistic talent at our school.

All students’ progress is tracked and monitored in all key stages to ensure consistent and relevant feedback in order to develop aesthetic awareness irrespective of practical ability, to promote intelligent thought through Art.

At Townley, we understand and recognise an individuals’ ability to create and endeavour to create an environment that will allow this to flourish.

We have three main Art rooms within the school. These rooms are fully equipped, light and airy spaces with an abundance of natural light.

The Art team comprises of three full-time members of staff who are fully committed in ensuring all students reach their potential. The Head of Department is well established and has a vast knowledge in the subject area; which has enabled the department to expand its links to leading artistic practitioners such as the Saatchi group. 

Year 7:

Art

Year 7 students begin their KS3 art course by learning about the foundation skills. We cover all the elements, such as line, tone, pattern and colour, through a portrait project in terms 1 and 2. Students will create studies and responses and learn how to organise a sketchbook so that it is clear and methodical, as well as improving their drawing and design skills. Students are also given the opportunity to work in groups to explore a variety of artists who use colour and pattern and complete a group project inspired by their House Goddesses.

History of Art

All Year 7 students have the opportunity to study the History of Art this year. The course is structured around the three terms of the academic calendar. In term 1 students will focus primarity on painting and drawing. In January, students will begin to explore the history of artefacts and sculptures, and the year will end with students investigating Architecture. We aim to introduce students to a wide range of art from different cultures, and from different time periods in order to expand their knowledge and understanding of the arts, as well as placing these artworks into their contexts in order to expand their understanding of social history. The theme we have chosen for this year is 'Civilisations'. The course will equip students to study art GCSE as well as expand their understanding of our History of Art A Level.

 Year 8: 

 Art

In Year 8 students build upon the skills they have learnt in their previous year. Students will develop their painting skills with a project exploring Black History Month. This project will give students the opportunity to use paint on canvas, and go on to exhibit their work in the Townley Contemporary Gallery. In the second half of the year, Year 8 students will continue to develop their painting skills, with the theme of "Water". Students will explore a variety of artists who have painted, and been inspired by water, and will go on to create a final piece of their own.

History of Art

All Year 8 students have the opportunity to study the History of Art this year. The course is structured around the three terms of the academic calendar. In term 1 students will focus primarity on painting and drawing. In January, students will begin to explore the history of artefacts and sculptures, and the year will end with students investigating Architecture. We aim to introduce students to a wide range of art from different cultures, and from different time periods in order to expand their knowledge and understanding of the arts, as well as placing these artworks into their contexts in order to expand their understanding of social history. The theme we have chosen for this year is 'Power and Conflict'. The course will equip students to study art GCSE as well as expand their understanding of our History of Art A Level.

Year 9:

Art

In Year 9 the Art Department provide an exciting and challenging Programme of Study which introduces students to a more independent way of working, in preparation for the GCSE Art curriculum. Students will study two units of work, primarily focussed around Pop Art and Identity. Students will be given opportunities to draw and paint from direct observation, as well as develop ideas using contextual references as a starting point. Year 9's continue to be offered the exciting opportunity to publicly exhibit their work in the school, with their second unit which is based on the work of Claes Oldenburg and the Pop Art movement.  Every Year 9 student will be expected to produce work in a sketchbook; providing them plenty of opportunities to work independently, learn to display and annotate work as they create it, as well as tracking their ideas and skills as they develop them.

History of Art

All Year 9 students have the opportunity to study the History of Art this year. The course is structured around the three terms of the academic calendar. In term 1 students will focus primarily on painting and drawing. In January, students will begin to explore the history of artefacts and sculptures, and the year will end with students investigating Architecture. We aim to introduce students to a wide range of art from different cultures, and from different time periods in order to expand their knowledge and understanding of the arts, as well as placing these artworks into their contexts in order to expand their understanding of social history. The theme we have chosen for this year is 'Identity'. The course will equip students to study art GCSE as well as expand their understanding of our History of Art A Level.

Why Choose GCSE Art?

Year 10:

 A GCSE in Art and Design develops students' ability to think creatively and in an independent manner. All projects allow students to develop their technical skills whilst encouraging them to develop their own ideas and interests. Students in Year 10 study two units of work. Natural/Unnatural world, which began in September and ends at Easter has explored a breadth of foundation skills in Art, and is culminating in a print making project. After Easter students will begin Unit 2, entitled Identity, which will give students the opportunity to become more independent in their explorations and allow them to start to take ownership of the direction of their own work. Unit 2 will end in the Year 11 Mock exam next year.

Year 11:

Students in Year 11 are completing their two coursework units of work, which they began in Year 10 (Natural World and Identity). This year they need to ensure that they have presented all their coursework, ready for moderation, fulfilling all four assessment objectives, including creating final pieces for exhibition. Coursework will make up 60% of their overall mark at GCSE.  In February, all art students will receive their externally assessed unit, which will culminate in a 10 hour examination in May 2019.

Assessment Structure:  Edexcel

Two  Coursework Projects  60%

• Natural
• Unnatural world and Identity

One Externally Set Assignment   40% 

Student Testimony:

"A GCSE in Art and Design develops your ability to think in a creative and independent manner. During the two-year course, students undertake three coursework projects, Abstraction, Identity and Contrasts in addition to a further assignment set by the exam board. All projects allow you to develop your technical skills whilst encouraging you to take your work in a direction that particularly interests you. These can include painting, photography, sculpture, fashion, mixed media and many others".

 Elaine Mann 10 Demeter

Related Careers / A Level Progression:

There is an increasing demand for creative and innovative people in industry and business; Art and Design students are such people. The number and variety of courses available to students wishing to continue their studies to degree standard is wide and exciting. These include: Architecture, Interior Design, Photography, Printmaking, Film/TV/Audio Visual, Illustration, Fashion Design, Model making for film/TV, Special effects and Animation, Textiles, Theatre Design, Jewellery Design, Exhibition/Gallery/Museum Display, Art History, Painting, Sculpture, Specialist Art Teaching........to name but a few.

At A Level we deliver an Art and Design specification which allows students to really push their creativity and
refine their skills and techniques. This will enable students to be prepared for higher education.

In order to take A-Level Art and Design you need to have a passion for the Arts, skills in either drawing and/or photography and be skilled at researching Artists in depth. Determination, self-motivation and discipline are required to keep up with deadlines in this coursework based subject.

Assessment Structure:

 Exam board: Edexcel

Year 12 Art and Design Overview

Component 1 – Internally set

Method of Assessment:   Supporting studies and final piece

Date of Assessment:  Spring term Lower Sixth

Year 12 will consist of a Portfolio Unit, which is designed to build skills to A Level standard. The work from Year 12 can be used within the portfolio for Year 12.
The unit will be assessed at the end of the year, the result of which will be used to predict grades for University.
The Personal Investigation will start at the end of Year 12.

Year 13 Art and Design Overview

Component 1 – Personal Investigation

• 
  Method of Assessment Supporting studies, final piece, and essay (1000 words). The essay is 12% of the final assessment
• 
  Length of Examination/Assessment/Coursework Sept-Jan
• 
  Weighting 50% of final A Level grade
• 
  Date of Assessment Summer Upper Sixth

Component 2 - Externally Set

• 
  Method of Assessment Supporting studies and final piece (final piece completed in 15hr exam)
• 
  Length of Examination/Assessment/Coursework Feb-April. 15hr final piece under exam conditions in April/May
• 
  Weighting Carries 50% of A Level grade
• 
  Date of Assessment Summer Upper Sixth

 ART 

• ARTiculation is offered to Year 12 and 13 students.

• AS-level Art History is offered to Year 12 and 13 students.

• Young Saatchi group is offered to Year 10-13 students.

• GCSE and A-level work is displayed in the Saatchi gallery.

• Entry to Saatchi Gallery/Deutsche Bank Art Prize for Schools

• GCSE & A-level work displayed at Marriott Bexleyheath

• Summer Exhibition including Saatchi Gallery & Marriott exhibitions

Textiles 

Competitions and Exhibitions:

We encourage our students to enter competitions. Some of these may be built into Schemes of work and others will be offered as an extra-curricular activity. Notices will be placed on monitors around the school to publicise these opportunities.

Current National Competitions:

Julie Boyd Textile Bunting Competition

Open to all students year 7 - 13

Create a piece of bunting, using textiles materials & techniques, with the theme of ‘The Elements: Earth, Air, Fire & Water’. Contact Miss Clarke to get a competition pack and piece of fabric.

ICHF Red Carpet Glamour Fashion Competition

Open to year 10 Textile students