art

KS4 & 5 Specification – AQA

The Art Department at West Kirby Grammar School aims to produce the very best artists and designers. We challenge learners through teaching and learning to strive to reach their full potential and become visually and artistically literate in their chosen specialism. The department consists of three teachers and a technician, who are all subject specialists. 

At Key Stage 3, students study art for one lesson a week. In Year 7, students will develop foundation skills, learning different drawing techniques, colour theory, artist research, painting and design. In Years 8 and 9, students will build on these key skills and have opportunities to explore themes through Fine Art, Textile Design and Graphic Communications. Our SOWs are engaging and challenge and stretch students within and outside of the classroom. We aim to develop and build on students’ confidence and resilience in parallel with skills, knowledge and understanding. At KS3 students have the opportunity to attend extra-curricular art activities at lunchtime. We encourage students to take part in internal and external art competitions and students have the option to partake in the Young Artist Award.

We offer three GCSE courses in Fine Art, Textile Design and Graphic Communication, which are popular option choices. Students will develop their creativity, imagination and ability to express their ideas visually, developing new and practical skills and techniques within one area. 

The GCSE courses involve students developing ideas through investigating artists/designers and craftspeople both practically and with written analysis, to explore different materials, techniques and processes and reviewing and refining work as it progresses. Students will record ideas through photography and direct experience, and this will lead to making final responses that make connections to a particular theme and focus artists/designers and craftspeople. As part of the GCSE course, students will produce a coursework portfolio and are set a practical externally set assignment by the exam board.

At A- level, students can progress onto either Fine Art, Textile Design or Graphic Communication. The A-level Art and Design courses allow learners to develop independent working and creative thinking, problem-solving skills and the ability to work and think independently which are all key skills in the world of work. Through a creative subject, our learners learn how to research, apply and present their ideas and thoughts creatively. Each Art and Design course will develop work through a coursework portfolio and external set assignment. The coursework portfolio is made up of a personal investigative study which enables students to develop their interests in art at A-level. Each Art and Design course will allow students to develop a wide range of work to put together as a portfolio suitable for application to either a Foundation Course in Art and Design or a direct entry into an Art and Design-based degree course.

We are proud of the opportunities we offer our students to enrich their learning including workshops with visiting artists, trips to Barcelona, Art galleries and Warner Bros Studios London. We exhibit students' work and encourage our students to enter local and national art competitions.

Key Stage 3 curriculum map

Key Stage 4 Curriculum Map

Why Study Art?

WKGS Art Instagram