IB MYP Art 

Art stimulates young imaginations, challenges perceptions and develops creative and analytical skills. Involvement in the arts encourages students to understand the arts in context and the cultural histories of artworks, supporting the development of an inquiring and empathetic world view. Art challenges and enriches personal identity and builds awareness of the aesthetic in a real-world context. MYP Global contexts that are explored through the study of Art, include identities and relationships; personal and cultural expression and globalization and sustainability.   

Years 7, 8 & 9

KS3 students start Year 7 with an introduction to the Elements of Art and continue their studies in Art by working with different media, learning about different styles and subject matter and developing core skills such as observational drawing, mark-making, colour theory and learning how to engage with Art in a theoretical way. Students work in sketchbooks and create larger scale final pieces. Students in KS3 study the art of international artists and cultures and extend their practical skills into craft-based art production. The structure of the Art curriculum helps students learn, how to learn, by allowing them to develop and apply social, thinking, research, communication and self-management skills. In Years 7-9, students are assessed against the following criterion; Criterion A: Knowing and understanding; Criterion B: Developing skills; Criterion C: Thinking Creatively and Criterion D: Responding 

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Course Title: Art and Design: Fine Art (J171) 
Exam Board:  OCR 
Qualification: e.g. GCSE 

About the course 

Fine Art is defined here as the practice of creating work that is primarily for aesthetic, intellectual or purely conceptual purposes, rather than purposes that have a necessarily practical function.  

Students must explore, acquire and develop skills, knowledge and understanding through the application of techniques and processes specific to their chosen area(s) of study of Fine Art.  

Students must explore practical and relevant critical and contextual sources such as the work of historical and contemporary fine artists and the different purposes, intentions and functions of fine art as appropriate to their own work.  

Students must demonstrate the knowledge, skills and understanding through area(s) of study relevant to Fine Art. 

Learners are required to work in one or more area(s) of Fine Art. Students at SKA study Art through the following media: Drawing, Mixed-media, Printing, Painting and Sculpture. 

How it is assessed 

Component 1: Portfolio  

Students should produce a portfolio of practical work showing their personal response to either a centre- or learner-set starting point, brief, scenario or stimulus. (60% weighting) (120/200 marks) 

Component 2: Externally set task  

The early release paper will be issued on 2 January each year and will provide learners with five themes, each with a range of written and visual starting points and stimuli. A response should be based on one of these options. (40% weighting) (80/200 marks) 

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Course Title: Visual Arts 
Exam Board: IB 
Qualification: IBDP 

About the course

The IBVA course is a thought-provoking course in which students develop analytical skills in problem-solving and divergent thinking, while working towards technical proficiency and confidence as art-makers. In addition to exploring and comparing visual arts from different perspectives and in different contexts, students are expected to engage in, experiment with and critically reflect upon a wide range of contemporary practices and media. The course covers the practical and theoretical components necessary with the study of Art. Students focus on the art forms of Photography, Ceramics, Textiles and Mixed -Media. 

Component 1:  Comparative Study 

Students examine and compare the work of artists from different cultural contexts. They consider the contexts influencing their own work and the work of others. They learn to make art through a process of investigation, thinking critically and experimenting with techniques. Students apply identified techniques to their own developing work and analyse and evaluate their outcomes. The Comparative Study is largely made up of theoretical study, accompanied by a smaller practical component.  

Contribution to final grade: 20% 

How it is assessed: Externally assessed 

Component 2:  Process Portfolio 

Students develop a Power Point presentation which shows evidence of their sustained experimentation, exploration, manipulation and refinement of a variety of art-making activities. All practical components are completed in a sketchbook initially and then photographed to be included in the digital Process Portfolio. The Process Portfolio documents the working process of each project that culminates in a final artwork (which is used in the exhibition). 

Contribution to final grade: 40% 

How it is assessed: Externally assessed 

Component 3:  Exhibition 

Students set up an exhibition of 8–11 artworks, these pieces are the final outcomes of the individual projects that were completed over the two years. This is accompanied by a curatorial rationale and exhibition text for each of the artworks presented. The exhibition is presented at the end of the course of study, in Year 13. 

Contribution to final grade: 40% 

How it is assessed: Internally assessed  

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Course Title: BTEC Art and Design 
Exam Board: Pearson 
Qualification: BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate in Art and Design 

About the course

• The qualification gives a coherent introduction to the study of art and design. Learners develop art and design projects and gain an understanding of the creative process. They study visual recording and communication, critical analysis and production skills to produce art and design outcomes.  
• Students complete 3 mandatory units and 1 option Unit. Students at SKA study Unit 12 (Fine Art Materials, Techniques and Processes) as their option Unit. This looks at Art created through 2D, 3D and Digital Media. 
• Units are assessed using a grading scale of Distinction (D), Merit (M), Pass (P), Near Pass (N) and Unclassified (U). The grade of Near Pass is used for externally assessed units only. This qualification is equivalent in size to one A Level.  

UNIT 1: Visual Recording and Communication 

Students investigate, experiment and explore a range of visual recording materials and methods to express and communicate ideas. Students develop their visual recording and communication skills through exploration and experimentation with materials and methods, gaining confidence in their ability to create work and express and communicate ideas. Students will extend their skills through exploring the work of others, ongoing personal reflection and the refinement of their own work.  

Contribution to final grade: 33% 

How it is assessed: This unit is assessed under supervised conditions. Learners will be provided with a theme and a task in January before a supervised assessment period in order to carry out research and preparatory work and prepare a response.  (Externally assessed) 

UNIT 2: Critical and Contextual Studies in Art and Design 

Learners develop skills in contextual research and visual analysis in order to critically analyse the work of others and improve their own practice. Students develop contextual research and critical analysis skills. Students investigate the contextual influences on practitioners that drive and underpin their work, they learn how to critically analyse pieces of art and design work, deconstruct images and think critically about what they see. Students develop these skills through investigation by selecting and sourcing relevant information in order to gain a full understanding of the work of artists and designers. 

Contribution to final grade: 25% 

How it is assessed: This unit is assessed under supervised conditions. The assessment is set and marked by Pearson. This task has two parts. Part A is released four weeks before Part B is scheduled for learners to carry out research. Learners are given three hours of monitored sessions scheduled by the centre to compile materials from their research. Part B is a supervised assessment in a single 3.5-hour session timetabled by Pearson. (Externally assessed) 

UNIT 3: The Creative Process 

Students explore and experiment with the stages of the creative process to develop ideas and produce outcomes. Students explore the activities within the creative process, they experiment with idea generation techniques and contextual research activities. Students develop ideas through use of materials, techniques and processes, refining their ideas and reviewing their working practices. Students explore ways to present their work and understand the importance of self-reflection and evaluation as an ongoing process. 

Contribution to final grade: 25% 

How it is assessed: This Unit is assessed through the production of sketchbook work, experimental work, self- evaluations and the production of a final art piece. (Internally assessed) 

UNIT 12: Fine Art Materials, Techniques and Processes 

Students are introduced to materials, techniques and processes used in fine art. They explore 2D, 3D and digital materials, techniques and processes used to produce fine artwork and apply fine art materials, techniques and processes to produce work for a brief. Students then review and reflect on own use of fine art materials, techniques and processes. 

Contribution to final grade: 17% 

How it is assessed: This Unit is assessed through the production of sketchbook work, experimental work, self- evaluations and the production of a final art piece. (Internally assessed) 

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