ART

Spacer

The Art Department is dynamic and ambitious, with exciting and ambitious projects enabling all students to be creative and ultimately succeed. Art is one of the most popular subject choices at GCSE and A Level and we take real pride in the outstanding results we achieve. Through all key stages, we aim to foster a passion for Art, encouraging all students to experiment and believe in themselves. Students explore a wide range of Fine Art techniques, including drawing, painting, 3D practices and, photography and print-making. Practical skills are underpinned by Art history knowledge, and our aim is to develop a passion for a wide range of artistic styles and movements. Through each academic year, we hone all students into becoming independent thinkers, making personal decisions as projects develop by the time they progress to GCSE and A Level, with highly bespoke work produced at these levels.

The Art Department prides itself on the support offered to all students, with passionate and knowledgeable teachers ensuring each student flourishes in a safe and inspiring environment. Content is always challenging and stimulating, and we develop positive working relationships whereby students feel confident to express themselves. At GCSE and A Level, our open-minded approach enables students to ‘think big’ in terms of ideas and possibilities. At these levels we adopt a University style approach in terms of creating individualised pathways, thus preparing students for high education studies. Many of our students progress to study Fine Art, architecture, fashion, graphic design and illustration at University level.

As a key part of our work, the Art Department offers wide extra-curricular provision, with GCSE and A Level workshops and ‘drop in’ sessions enabling students to really push themselves and explore a wider range of techniques and enhance portfolios. The Key Stage 3 Art club is always well attended and students take part in set design for drama productions and additional work to be entered into local and national competition; Annually we enter works into the Saatchi Gallery Young Artist Prize and the Sefton Young Artist of the Year competitions, where we have a proud record of prize winners. Art gallery trips underpin GCSE and A Level planning, enabling students to experience historic and contemporary Art first-hand.

Spacer

ART at Key Stage 3

Click the image above to access the Key Stage 3 Curriculum Map for Art

All Years 7, 8 and 9 students study Art which follows the Key Stage 3 National Curriculum. This involves working within a number of artistic disciplines including drawing, painting, researching different styles and printing. In addition pupils are introduced to a number of broad artistic traditions and through learning about the history of art, develop an appreciation of influential historic and contemporary art movements and artists..

Spacer

ART at Key Stage 4

Click the image above to access the Key Stage 4 Curriculum Map for Art

GCSE Fine Art is an exciting and dynamic course whereby students are given the freedom and guidance to succeed. Students at GCSE study the AQA Fine Art specification, developing confidence in a wide range of traditional and contemporary Fine Art practices. There is a great emphasis placed on the students developing their own direction and work is often ambitious in scale and thought processes. Students will explore the techniques of a number of artists, using their findings to inspire their own progress.

There are various extra-curricular opportunities including a yearly trip to Liverpool, GCSE workshops and drop-in sessions.

Spacer

ART at Key Stage 5

Click the image above to access the Key Stage 5 Curriculum Map for Art

The Art Department at Formby High School follows the new two year AQA Specification for Art & Design (Fine Art) in Sixth Form.

Students at A Level enjoy being challenged to find a more meaningful context to their work. Work typically becomes more accomplished and conceptually rigorous.

Students complete one major unit of coursework, with additional ‘workshop’ projects and ‘gallery/artist’ linked work. This includes using oil paint, acrylics, working in mixed media and drawing and printing techniques. There is furthermore a greater emphasis on Photography at this level. Students are expected to devise (in liaison with their teachers) their own particular coursework units. This also includes a rigorous written component (1,000-3,000 words).

Spacer

Key Information

Spacer

Creative Arts Department

Spacer

Mrs Wilkins

Director of Creative Arts

Miss Donlevy

Subject Leader for Drama

Mrs Whitehead

Subject Leader for Dance

Spacer

Teachers of Creative Arts

Mrs Clark (Art)
Mr Cook (Music)
Miss Dilworth (Music)
Ms Hargan (Art)
Mrs Harrocks (Dance)
Mr Heatherington (Music Technology)

Technicians

Mr G Heatherington

Spacer

Contact Us

Spacer

Useful Links

Spacer

Art

AQA Art and Design GCSE
AQA Art and Design A Level

Dance

www.u-dance.org
www.rambert.org.uk
www.theplace.org.uk
www.alvinailey.org

Drama

BBC Bitesize – Drama – GCSE: www.bbc.co.uk/education
National Theatre Learning Resources: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/
Globe Theatre Education: www.shakespearesglobe.com/education
RSC: www.rsc.org.uk/education
AQA: www.aqa.org.uk/…/drama/gcse/drama…/

Music

FHS Music on Twitter

Spacer

Spacer

Careers Corner

Spacer

There is a wide range of possible career and higher education opportunities if you choose to study a Creative Arts subject.