Pupils work in A4 sketchbooks, enabling progress to be monitored, tracked and assessed successfully.

The KS3 curriculum has been designed to allow pupils to thrive, enjoy and gain confidence in the subject.

Year 7 pupils are introduced to ‘Keith Haring’ as their first project, this captures their imagination and sees pupils create a wax resist piece as their personal response.  This flows into the ‘Picasso’ project and oil pastels are used for the first time. The year ends with ‘Cartoon Crowd’ a close look at expression and colour theory.  Sketchbooks contain a comprehensive glossary and end with a written evaluation.

Year 8 pupils start the year with a colourful ‘Hundertwasser’ project. This playful scheme delivers a wonderful personal response. Building upon their knowledge pupils move onto ‘Matt Kaufenberg’ which is an illustration and literacy project, culminating in an illustrated short story.  The final project in year 8 is ‘Mexican Day of the Dead’. This scheme is full of culture, pattern and colour. 

Year 9 (which is taught on a termly carousel) look at the work of ‘Bradley Theodore’ an American graffiti artist. 

Following the AQA Art, Craft and Design specification, the course is divided into two components; 60% Portfolio and the Externally Set Assignment which is 40% of the final grade.

The course is vibrant and dynamic, designed to inspire and bring out the best in all pupils, while equipping them with the skills to continue post 16.  The flexibility of its design means it can be tailored to pupils' interests and strengths.

The specification has been designed to allow pupils to develop knowledge and understanding during the course through a variety of learning experiences and approaches, including engagement with sources. This allows them to develop skills to explore, create and communicate their own ideas. Pupils will demonstrate these skills through the development, refinement, recording and presentation of ideas through a portfolio and by responding to an externally set assignment.

Assessment Objectives:

• AO1 - Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of source
• AO2 - Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes
• AO3 - Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses
• AO4 - Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language

Following the AQA Textile design specification, the course is divided into two components. The first is the Portfolio; this is 60% of the final grade. The second component is the Externally Set Assignment; this is 40% of the final grade.

Textile design is defined as the creation of designs and products for woven, knitted, stitched, printed or decorative textiles that might have a functional or non-functional purpose.

Within the context of textile design, pupils must demonstrate the ability to:

• use textile design techniques and processes, appropriate to pupils’ personal intentions, for example:
• weaving
• felting
• stitching
• appliqué
• construction methods
• printing
• use media and materials, as appropriate to pupils’ personal intentions, for example:
• inks
• yarns
• threads
• fibres
• fabrics
• textile materials
• digital imagery.

The specification has been designed to allow pupils to develop knowledge and understanding through a variety of learning experiences and approaches. This allows them to develop skills to explore, create and communicate their own ideas. Pupils will demonstrate these skills through the development, refinement, recording and presentation of their ideas via a portfolio and by responding to an externally set assignment.

Assessment Objectives:

• AO1 - Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of source
• AO2 - Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes
• AO3 - Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses
• AO4 - Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language

At Ribblesdale, we provide opportunities for pupils to work independently after school at KS3 and KS4.  During this time, they are supervised and encouraged to work independently. We encourage pupils to visit galleries and exhibitions.  The department boasts a contemporary Instagram account and pupils’ work is shared on this platform regularly. We have strong links with the local creative community and have artists and craftspeople providing workshops throughout the year.