Art & Design

Art at Westbourne is an inspiring environment, which aims to bring out the inner artist in all our pupils.

Middle school - Year 7 and Year 8

In KS3 we explore a wide range of materials and processes. Across both year groups we focus on building our drawing and painting techniques whilst developing our skills in the formal elements of art. We complete artist studies, leading into print/textiles and then clay or 3D/sculpture projects.

There is a strong emphasis on learning through investigation both individually and as a group, emphasising the importance of reviewing and problem solving. Practical work is adapted to the skills of the students.

Year 9

During year 9 pupils are encouraged to take the lead with a more personalised approach to their art. Pupils develop skills across multiple disciplines including and not limited to: formal elements, painting, drawing, observational skills, mixed media and photography. We explore a variety of topics from man made form to the ‘isms’ and guide pupils during their creative journey. The experiences students have in year 9 helps them to make their choices for GCSE and are timetabled into their options towards the end of year 9.

GCSE Year 10 and Year 11

The GCSE Art, Craft and Design course is for students who enjoy creative work and who wish to develop their visual language skills, using them to explore and express their creative ideas. The course is largely practical and includes recording from observation through drawing and taking photographs, investigating and developing visual responses by experimenting with different processes and techniques and making artwork in a range of two and three-dimensional media. To support and inspire their practical work, students will research and analyse the work of artists, both historical and contemporary, gaining a broader understanding of the significance of Art, Craft and Design in society.

In addition to the practical element, the Art, Craft and Design course encourages the development of a range of valuable personal attributes and study skills, including the ability to conduct independent research, to critically reflect on their own work, to be self-motivated and well-organised and to exercise critical and analytical thinking.

Across all year groups, our pupils visit galleries to view and respond to original artworks first-hand. We often visit local galleries and aim to explore further afield with our GCSE pupils.

Exhibitions of our pupils’ work are regularly displayed around school and at local venues across Sheffield. For example, we have a close relationship with the Botanical Gardens.

Art competitions: Each year, we enter pupils into the Sheffield Young Artists Exhibition and the Royal Academy of Arts – Young Artists’ Summer Show, giving all our pupils a chance to exhibit in a world-renowned London gallery.

All pupils participate in Art Enrichment sessions, which enable them to work collaboratively and gain valuable insight into the creative industries.

We use the Friday Flyer to keep you updated on what’s happening in the arts scene in Sheffield and beyond.