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Durham School

Day & Boarding School (Age 3-18)


Art

About the Faculty

The Art and Design Faculty at Durham School are committed to providing all students with a thorough understanding of the principles of Art and Design Technology. We promote awareness and understanding of the environment by encouraging imaginative thinking and curiosity. We believe that through Art and Design Technology you are 'educating for life' as art and design education should extend well beyond the classroom.

Pupils are encouraged to explore and develop their imagination, creativity, manipulative dexterity and knowledge and understanding in both subject areas by pursuing theme or project work. All is carefully linked to the aims and objectives outlined in the National Curriculum in key stage 3 and examination requirements in key stage 4 and 5.

We attempt to ensure that students gain understanding of the wider world of Art and Design Technology through our experiences as artists and designers and by utilising the expertise of other professionals. Within the school community we promote the development of cross curricular links and encourage all students to participate in the wide range of extra-curricular opportunities offered within the Faculty.

Our Curriculum:

Years 10 - 11

GCSE: Art; Design: AQA Code 3201 (Full Course)

The Faculty follows the Art; Design (Fine Art) Specification offered by AQA. It encourages candidates to develop creative and imaginative powers and the practical skills necessary to communicate ideas, feelings and meanings within the context of art and design. It develops investigative, analytical and critical skills and knowledge and understanding of the history of art, craft and design in our own and other cultures.

The course requires students to produce coursework projects which respond to all the assessment objectives. The coursework represents 60% of the total marks and is completed during the lessons over the duration of the period of study in years 10 and 11.

The remaining 40% of the assessment is given to the response produced in the controlled test. This takes place over 10 hours, which is usually split over 2 days. Candidates must respond to one starting point and are allowed a four week preparatory period. They can use their preparatory studies in the examination but need to ensure work produced meets all assessment objectives.

Faculty

Mr Mark Baldwin

Head of Department - Art and Design Technology

The Faculty comprises five full time members of teaching staff. Mr M Baldwin, as faculty head, is responsible for managerial and curriculum issues etc. Mr M Younger and Mr Clayton teach both Art and Design Technology while Mrs N Thompson teaches Art.


Additional Information:

Extra-curricular Opportunities

The Art and Design Faculty provide a wide and varied range of opportunities for students to further develop their interest, imagination and creative excellence. The activities take place throughout the week and particularly on a Thursday afternoon.

These timetabled activities allow individual students greater access to teaching staff on a one to one basis, something which is particularly useful when working through problems in Design Technology or Art coursework. Opportunities offered include subject clinics at GCSE and AS A2 level, photography, print making, painting and drawing, ceramics, textiles, woodwork, metalwork, set building, product design and graphics etc.

We are keen to support events within the school community and have organised activities to produce scenery and props for school productions etc.

Subjects within Creative Arts

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"

Durham School has provided an enriching environment for our two very different sons. The House system creates a support network for pupils where both individual and  team achievements are encouraged and celebrated.

"
Mrs Catherine Wood, Parent

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