The Art department has been referred to as one of the strongest departments in the school.  A strong department consisting of dedicated and experienced staff has ensured excellent results at all Key Stages and maintained a high profile of the art work around the college and the local community.

The Art department consists of four classrooms at the top of a new school building block completed in 2000. One of the rooms is a purposely built Pottery room and has access to kiln facilities.

There are presently 3 full time and 2 part time specialist art teachers and a full time Art TA within the department.
The 3 full time Art teachers teach throughout the whole age range. Although each member of staff has specialised in various areas of art we are all general teachers of art.

In addition to normal classroom teaching the art department offers plenty of opportunities for extra-curricular activities. This includes daily art lunch clubs, after school art clubs, life drawing classes, art trips, art societies, workshops and competitions.
Art trips have become an integral part of the projects and courses taught.  Students in every year enjoy the visits to the various locations and galleries which directly support their studies in Art.  The art trips which are offered every year are the following;

• Year 7 field trip to Hamerton Zoo to support their Rainforest and Animal pinch pot projects,
• Year 8 trip to the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge to support projects on Portraits and Modern Art,
• Year 9 trip to London Dali and National galleries to support projects on Surrealism and landscapes,
• Year 10 art trip to the Tate galleries in London,
• Year 11 art trip to the Fitzwilliam museum to support mock exam,
• Year 12/13 trips to London and Paris.

Results for GCSE echo the hard endeavour of the teachers and students with 80% of students achieving A-C and 25% achieving A*/A in 2008.  This success has also been achieved in previous consecutive years.

In 2008 Key Stage 5 students also achieved some tremendous results with a 100% pass rate at AS and A2 and 90% achieving A-C at AS Level including 33% achieving a grade A.  One student was commended on her excellent performance at AS Level by receiving a special congratulatory letter from the Managing Director of Edexcel examining board for achievement on gaining 100% in both her coursework and examwork.  This achievement was matched only by nine other students in the country. This success was reported in an article in the local paper.

The Art Department recognises the importance of informing students of careers and courses in Art and has built up very good links with further education colleges.  This strong liaison with colleges includes trips to open and taster days and also presentations to the students from visiting FE college tutors.  Many of our students who study art at Advanced level continue their studies on Foundation Art and Design courses then on to specialist degree courses.

The Art department always recognises very good work by displaying the work around the department and the school.  Framed pictures and large scale work adorn the corridors, halls and foyers of the school. There is an end of course exhibition of A Level and GCSE Art work which has now become established as a major event of the school calendar. This show always receives heaps of praise from moderators, parents, governors and teachers and the exhibition is a very nice celebration of the hard work of the students and remains on view for weeks after the grand open night.

Description of courses
Art and Design is a National Curriculum Foundation Subject in Key Stage 3 and is taught to all students in years 7, 8 and 9. Students follow a common course that is designed to meet national curriculum requirements in order to develop practical, technical and critical skills and the ability to use visual and tactile language to communicate their ideas, feelings and meanings.

The department aims to achieve a balance in the composition of groups in terms of gender, ability and special educational needs.

Differentiation is achieved by affording appropriate support, resources, materials and processes, and by outcome.  Tasks may be varied or adapted for individuals where appropriate.
Work is assessed in accordance with agreed department practice, whole school policy, PLTS, Literacy, Numeracy, Functional Skills, Economic Well-Being, National Curriculum, G.C.S.E and AS/A Level requirements.
The department employs a range of teaching and learning styles to maximise the potential of all students.

 

Year 7-9
All pupils at Sawtry Community College study art once a week. They all follow the National Curriculum for Art and Design, which enables students to not only develop their own skills in a variety of media, but also to better understand the historical context of Art and Design through the study of various artists and their ways of working.
At the start of Year 7 students are expected to purchase a sketchbook which will hopefully last until the end of Key stage 3. Most of the projects will require sustained research, investigation, experimentation, analysis and planning in sketchbooks before undertaking final outcomes.
In each year there are three main projects including one which involves using clay and is based in the pottery room.
Although equipment is provided for all the projects some students may wish to use some of their own.  This would also aid further continuation and practice of the work in their own time. Students are advised to provide their own apron or overall for protection when using some of the art materials, especially clay.
We consider Art to be no different to any other subject in terms of students’ attitude towards their work. We expect all students to do their best and work hard. We do find that students enjoy their Art lessons and many opt for Art at

ART GCSE
Key stage 4 builds on the experiences of the earlier key stages, allowing pupils to work with increasing independence and depth in all areas of their work. This key stage extends pupils’ existing knowledge, skills and understanding of art, craft and design.
Study at key stage 4 should provide both taught experiences and opportunities for self-directed study.
Progression to key stage 4 is ensured through coherence between the levels and the GCSE assessment criteria.
The course teaches students’ skills and technique’s which then allows students to develop their own ideas and more personal work.
Students are encouraged to keep sketchbooks of drawings and ideas to develop in the classroom. Students are expected to work in a variety of and to examine the work of artists in order to develop their own ideas. At the end of the course students put up an exciting exhibition of their work.
(to view some GCSE work and the exhibition click here )
YEARS TWELVE AND THIRTEEN
We usually have around 40 students studying Art and Design at Advanced level. The course requires students to become more personal about their work and to begin to develop an individual style. Once again these are exhibited for parents and public to enjoy.
As with other subjects students will be studying AS during year 12 and then we would expect the majority to continue their studies onto A2 to complete the A level.
(to view some GCE work and the exhibition click here )

The study of Art and Design enriches the lives of individuals and the social culture.  It is a major element of a balanced education.

STAFF
Mr Terry – Head of Department
Mr Hughes
Mr Price
Miss Sharp
Mr Rothwell
Mrs Smith (Art technician)

 

Art & Design CAREERS