Art

In Years 7 and 8, we help you to develop the skills required to become a young artist. Drawing, of course, is the ‘backbone’ of the subject and we focus on this in Key Stage 3. However, there are many kinds of drawing styles, not just ‘realistic’. So we aim to develop your expressive and imaginative drawing skills as well as more accurate observational drawing. As well as drawing, you will paint, create collages, research artist work and use a wide variety of materials through fun and interesting projects. These skills will prepare you for a possible career in Art and Design and also help you to unleash your creative side. Skills that are also transferable to other subjects, such as when drawing diagrams in Science, for instance.

This all prepares you well for GCSE and A level Art.

In Key Stage 4, we offer GCSE Art & Design and GCSE Photography. During these courses you start to ‘find your voice’; developing projects through personal themes and learning to express yourself. You will study the work of artists who you have chosen. You will also expand your knowledge and experience of different materials and techniques, including: painting in acrylics, oils and watercolour; lino printing and screen printing; sculpting in clay and plaster; digital work using Photoshop and apps; photography and video. We have an excellent success rate at GCSE level, so this will help you greatly when applying for Sixth Form or college, as well as preparing you well for A Level Art and/or Photography at LHS.

Staff are also WJEC GCSE and A Level examiners, so have an excellent knowledge of standards and assessment.

At AS and A level we also offer Art & Design and Photography. The Assessment Objectives are identical to GCSE, however the standard and volume of the work is expected to be higher. Sixth Form students are given more freedom to follow their own themes in greater detail, as well as being taught more advanced techniques. A specialist art study room/photography studio is available for Sixth Formers to spend study periods or after-school sessions. The pass-rate at AS and A Level is excellent and our students’ work has been chosen for exhibition by both WJEC and Cardiff Metropolitan University in recent years.