Art

Intent

The Directorate of Creative Arts joins together the artistic areas of Art, Media, Drama, Dance, Music, Photography and Textiles. We intend to offer students broad, varied and inspirational curriculum teaching, not only artistic skills but giving students means and methods to explore their creative ideas. Wherever they find themselves in the world, we want Tavistock College students to be able to access and contribute to the Arts and culture. At the heart of what we strive to do is a clear philosophy of the importance of arts education – not only for emerging artists but as a training ground for creativity.

The Creative Arts are vital to young people’s development. Their language is truly universal. Every culture explores its passions and fears through drama, dance, music and art. Regardless of gender, ability and belief, students respond intuitively to these modes of expression, and through them explore and communicate issues of morality and identity in a unique way, which enriches and personalities their education, enhancing their emotional intelligence. The social skills and complex problems solving acquired during creative group work decision making, delegation, adaptability, negotiation, listening to options and the justification of your own ideas are imperative to personal development, arguably all other subject areas and the rapidly changing environment of the workplace.

Further information

Key Stage 3

Art is taught for 1 hour per week over 2 years. This ensures that all students experience the opportunity to work on both observational and imaginary projects, they explore Art history and Art theory. An introduction to textiles is included in the curriculum, offering a wider grounding for student choice at GCSE.

What Students Learn

Students are introduced to the Visual Elements and the opportunity to experiment in a variety of media.  This allows for a greater understanding of the subject ahead of Key Stage 4 course choices.

The course is designed to be practical and engaging, as well as imaginative and historical, while also teaching important skills and subject-specific vocabulary.

Over the 2 years, students will:

• Understand each Visual Element and discuss how they are the fundamental disciplines used for creating and discussing Art
• Students develop and refine their artwork and ideas
• Discuss famous artwork and understand how some Art movements evolved
• Respond to the Fourth Plinth and understand the various artworks displayed there
• Record their own work, respond to both their own and their peers’ art, and discuss the work of professional artists

This holistic introduction to key theory and Art History helps students build independence, creativity, and understand how a variety of media responds, preparing them for further exploration in the Art and Textiles.

Year 9 Art

Students continue to expand their knowledge of Art through detailed projects focusing on Birds and Still Life. This links to the skill and theory learnt in Years 7 and 8, with a focus on greater exploration and detail. This year also prepares them for how these skills will be used in GCSE Art, textiles and photography as well as other subjects that value communication, creativity, and critical thinking.

Curriculum Highlights

• Students will learn how to paint a bird eye in mixed media
• They will understand and practice how to draw different parts of birds, with a focus on owls
• Take part in a workshop when they can draw a live owl, this primary observational drawing allows students to hone their skills from the lesson work in a practical setting
• Students will be able to transform their Art skills into Textiles, creating an owl tote bag
• Gaining insight into still life paintings and Vanitas
• Revisiting the Visual Elements and exploring the seven aspects with a greater level sophistication
• Exploring primary and secondary observational drawing
• Reflect upon and duplicate the work of Matt Sewell and Paul Cezanne

Key Stage 4

Students start the course with an Art Foundation scheme of learning, whilst they delve into the topic of Natural Forms, each lesson allows exploration into a different media. Allowing students to develop individual skill. Portraiture becomes the next focus, with facial layout and features forming begin their own personal journey through Art GCSE, expanding their KS3 knowledge of Art. They complete the year 10 with a personal investigation on a theme of their choice, before completing an ESA (externally set assessment), with a 10 hour examination at the end of year 11.

• Students explore a range of mediums through a series of projects titled Natural Forms, Portraiture and Fisheries
• They begin to understand the assessment objectives and how each part of the project applies to those
• Students explore tonal drawing, mark- making, acrylic painting, lino printing, Mono printing and pastels among other mediums
• During the natural forms project student develop their observational drawing skills and build on prior knowledge of mediums, while learning new skills
• During the portraiture project there is a large focus on proportion and accuracy along with other drawing methods such as grid method
• After the completion of these projects there is a personal investigation to be completed, allowing students to draw on the skills developed in previous projects.
• Personal investigation allows students to independently direct their learning to areas of strength and interest with the guidance of specialised practitioners
• The personal investigation is an extended project spanning from the end of Year 10 to January Year 11 when the ESA begins
• The ESA is comprised of one self-directed project and a 10-hour exam where students complete a final piece

Key Stage 5

 OCR's A Level Fine Art is a two-component qualification, with one component focusing on a personal investigation (practical portfolio and related study) and the other on an externally set assignment. Students will explore various Fine Art media, techniques, and concepts, developing their individual artistic style and critical understanding. 

This course is suitable for students who like to work independently, developing their own ideas whilst exploring a wide range of artists. Whilst there is a strong focus on observational drawing, students have the opportunity to develop their practical skills in mixed media, oil painting and screen printing throughout the course. Students work with a greater degree of independence during KS5, the first term is teacher lead when students work on staff portraits, artist analysis and media exploration, under the scheme of Distortion, before working on their own theme which forms their personal investigation.

 Students will have the opportunity to attend workshops with visiting artists in addition to our popular trips to London, Paris and Florence. These experiences are invaluable and provide students with a greater understanding about art in the world around them as well as enhancing their A-Level portfolios. 

• Students explore a range of mediums, using guided practice through a series of projects titled Distortion
• They use OCRs assessment objectives and link their project to the marking scheme
• Students explore drawing, screen printing, oil painting, acrylic painting, lino printing, mono printing and pastels among other mediums
• Students develop their own ideas and concepts
• After the completion of these projects there is a personal investigation to be completed, allowing students to draw on the skills developed in previous projects.
• The personal investigation allows students to independently direct their learning to areas of strength and interest with the guidance of specialised practitioners, expanding a coursework portfolio and writing a 1000-3000 written study
• The personal investigation is an extended project spanning from the end of Year 12 to February Year 13 when the ESA begins
• The ESA is comprised of one self-directed project and a 15-hour exam where students complete a final piece to complement their studies.

Curriculum Plans

 

Curriculum time allocation

KS3 - 2 hours a fortnight

KS4 - 6 hours a fortnight (option)

KS5 - 10 hours a fortnight (option)

SEND Learner Experience in Art

In the Creative Arts we are very proud to offer an inclusive and accessible curriculum that ensures students with the full range of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can fully participate and succeed across all our subjects. All students access the Key Stage 3 curriculum, and many go on to study subjects at Level 2 and Level 3, gaining valuable qualifications and recognition for their achievements. Our commitment to inclusion extends beyond the classroom—students with SEND are actively involved in a wide range of enriching experiences; you will find our SEND equally with their peers, on local and national trips and visits, workshops with professional practitioners, on stage and backstage in shows and concerts, and sharing their work in exhibitions. These opportunities help to build confidence, broaden horizons, and celebrate the talents of every learner.

Planning

In Creative Arts we are committed to supporting students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) through a structured and inclusive approach embedded across all key stages. Every scheme of work includes built-in scaffolding—such as step-by-step guides—to ensure accessibility for all learners. Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) and Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) are carefully read by all staff and directly inform the development of Class Plans, which are created at the start of each academic year and reviewed termly. These plans outline the specific strategies used to support students in lessons and ensure that reasonable adjustments are made where necessary. Regular SEND briefings provide staff with ongoing professional development and up-to-date information to enhance planning and delivery. Additionally, AD (Academic Director) meetings are used to monitor and support the progress of students with SEND. Our Anchor cohort follows the mainstream Creative Arts curriculum with tailored scaffolding and support to meet their individual needs. Literacy development is a key focus, supported through tools such as word banks, CRESS sentence starters, differentiated and verbal feedback, and subject-specific scaffolding documents, particularly in Key Stages 4 and 5. This consistent and thoughtful approach ensures that all students, regardless of their needs, are given the opportunity to thrive.

Before each lesson

Staff make regular use of updates from Arbor to stay informed about student needs, behaviour and wellbeing. These updates are carefully reviewed and, where relevant, used to update Class Plans to ensure that support strategies remain current and effective. Seating plans and groupings are also an important part of our classroom management and are tailored to meet the needs of individual students providing structure and routine in our non-traditional classroom and studio spaces. In Visual Arts (VA), specific seating arrangements are used to support learning, while in Performing Arts (PA), students are typically seated in register order at the start of the lesson but work in regularly changed groups. All seating plans/ groups are reviewed and adjusted regularly based on classroom dynamics, behaviour patterns, and individual student needs, ensuring a supportive and productive learning environment for all.

Entry routine

Students with SEND are welcomed into the classroom with the same warmth, positivity and familiar structures as all students. Staff use a consistent thresholding approach at the door, greeting each student personally to create a calm and welcoming start to the lesson. A retrieval task is provided at the beginning of each lesson to reinforce routines and expectations, helping students transition smoothly from outside the classroom into focused learning. Where necessary, specific adjustments—such as accessible seating for wheelchair users—are made to ensure all students feel comfortable and included. If a student with SEND is struggling, staff are proactive in offering support, whether through quick check ins, gentle encouragement, supportive seating and grouping, additional scaffolding, or tailored interventions, ensuring that every student feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.

During teaching

The Creative Arts spaces, classrooms and studios are thoughtfully designed to support students with SEND through both physical space and structured routines. Classrooms are kept open and consistent to accommodate physical needs and help students feel secure in familiar surroundings. A targeted menu of support allows staff dedicated time to read and act on student information, ensuring Class Plans are regularly updated. Assessment for Learning (AFL) is used similarly to mainstream teaching but with more specific, tailored feedback to guide student progress. The Framework for Learning provides a consistent structure across the curriculum, promoting clear routines and expectations that place all students on an equal footing. At each stage—thresholding, retrieval, guided practice, independent work, feedback, and exit routines—students with SEND receive appropriate scaffolding, such as sentence starters, targeted questioning, live marking, and verbal feedback. Teaching Assistants (TAs) are assigned to specific students with physical disabilities or are present in Anchor classes to provide additional support. Reasonable adjustments, such as modified questioning techniques, are made in line with students’ ILPs and EHCPs. Changes to routines or expectations are communicated calmly and in advance whenever possible. Our behaviour system is applied consistently, with flexibility to accommodate individual needs. Resources are scaffolded to ensure accessibility, and teacher circulation is used effectively to check understanding, offer 1:1 support, and model tasks. For our Anchor cohort, the mainstream curriculum is followed with additional scaffolding to ensure full access and engagement. This comprehensive approach ensures that every student with SEND is supported to thrive academically and emotionally.

After each lesson

Feedback (both verbal and written) plays a vital role in supporting students with SEND, and our approach is tailored to meet individual needs. Depending on the discreet subject, teachers use a combination of verbal and visual feedback to help students understand their progress and next steps. Marking is consistent and supportive, designed to reinforce learning and build confidence. Teachers actively plan for common misconceptions, which are addressed throughout lessons to ensure clarity and understanding. If concerns arise, staff communicate directly with the SEND team and/or parents via email or Arbor, ensuring timely and effective support. Teachers regularly reflect on student progress and review the Creative Arts curriculum frequently to ensure it remains appropriate and accessible for all learners. This ongoing cycle of feedback and adaptation ensures that students with SEND continue to receive the support they need to succeed.  

After each assessment

Feedback and assessment are key tools in supporting the progress of students with SEND. Creative Arts teachers use a range of feedback methods—including verbal, visual, modelled and written approaches—tailored to the subject and the individual needs of each student. This feedback is designed to be clear, supportive, and actionable, helping students understand their next steps and build confidence in their learning. Assessment information is regularly analysed to identify patterns, track progress, and highlight any areas where additional support may be needed. This data is then used to inform and adapt teaching strategies and provoke conversations with the support team for the students, ensuring that the curriculum remains accessible and appropriately challenging. Teachers review and adjust their planning termly, using assessment insights to tailor content, scaffold learning, and address any misconceptions. This responsive approach ensures that students with SEND receive the right support at the right time, enabling them to thrive in the classroom.

Reading and literacy in Art

Subject contact

Mrs Kate Luck

k.luck@dmatschools.org.uk