Welcome to the Art department. In this section of the website, you will find important information for the department as well as some useful links to our curriculum page. If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
| Teacher | Role | |
| Mrs Turner | Head of Art Department | hturner@brs.srscmat.co.uk |
| Mrs Cawson | Teacher of Art and Head of DT Department | JCawson@brs.srscmat.co.uk |
Within Art, home learning will be set monthly by the class teacher. Students will be able to find this on Arbor and should have written the task and deadline in their planner.
We predominantly use printed worksheets, and sometimes online quizzes through Seneca which is an online subject specific question-based platform. If your child selects Art as a GCSE option, homework will support the development of their coursework and be related to practical work they complete in lesson. Art equipment folders will be available to purchase from school at the beginning of the GCSE to support in the completion of work outside of the classroom.
If your child is unable to access home learning online, please ensure that the department are aware so that accessible homework can be set for your child.
Seneca Learning – https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/
Students attending Art lessons must arrive fully prepared with the whole-school expected equipment. In addition, you should bring key subject-specific items, including a paintbrush and a fineliner pen, which are essential for developing your practical skills and presentation. These items are available to purchase from the school equipment shop if needed. You are also expected to have your mini whiteboard, whiteboard pen, and rubber with you for regular retrieval activities in lessons. At the start of each lesson, all equipment, along with your planner, should be placed on your desk as they form an important part of your learning and help ensure consistency across the department.
KS4 (GCSE) Art students will be expected to use a wider range of materials during lessons as their skills develop. At the start of the course, students are given the opportunity to purchase a GCSE Art folder, which contains essential art equipment needed to support their work both in lessons and at home. While all general resources will be provided in school, students may choose to explore additional materials based on their individual interests and project work.
In the Art department, student effort and achievement are recognised and celebrated in a variety of ways. Students can earn achievement points for positive contributions in lessons, including making good progress, demonstrating effort, and actively engaging in class discussions. Outstanding classwork, homework, or significant development in skills will be rewarded with golden tickets.
Across both KS3 and KS4, an Artist of the Week is selected, with their work displayed outside the classroom and a certificate sent home to recognise their achievement. High-quality and exceptional work is also displayed within classrooms and around the school to acknowledge student success and inspire others.
Students also have opportunities to be recognised through participation in both internal and external art competitions. In addition, high-quality classwork is regularly shared on the school’s social media platforms to celebrate success more widely. Whole-class feedback sheets used during lessons will also highlight exceptional work, often including images of students’ artwork to showcase excellence and motivate peers.
KS3
These texts introduce key skills, artists, and creative thinking:
KS4 (GCSE Art & Design)
These texts support skill development, artist research, and independent work:
Students are also encouraged to explore art magazines, online galleries (such as Tate or V&A websites), and sketchbooks by contemporary artists to widen their inspiration and understanding.
This list is a starting point and can be built upon as students develop their interests in Art. We also have a range of Art books available within the department that students can access during lessons or use to support their personal interests and independent study.
The Art department is committed to providing a range of enriching opportunities and events throughout the academic year to enhance students’ creativity and engagement.
In October, we will host an internal Christmas Card Competition, where students are invited to design a card that reflects the spirit and values of Christmas within our Catholic school community. The winning design will be professionally printed and used as the school’s official Christmas card, celebrating both artistic talent and the importance of the season.
For KS4 GCSE Art students, a gallery trip is planned to support their coursework and exposure to professional artists and exhibitions. Specific dates and details for this visit are to be confirmed (TBC) and will be shared with students and parents in due course.
In April, the department will take part in the school’s Green Week, running an Art Competition focused on environmental themes. This encourages students to explore sustainability and global issues through creative expression.
Further updates and new events will be introduced throughout the year, so students should keep an eye out for additional opportunities to get involved.
The Art department offers a range of extra-curricular opportunities to support and extend students’ creativity beyond the classroom. Clay Club runs after school on a Thursday, providing students with the opportunity to explore ceramics, develop practical skills, and experiment with three-dimensional work in a relaxed and supportive environment.
In addition, GCSE Art intervention sessions also take place on Thursdays throughout the year. These sessions are designed to support KS4 students with their coursework, helping them to develop their ideas, refine techniques, and make further progress outside of lesson time. This additional support ensures students are given every opportunity to succeed and build confidence in their artistic abilities.
The KS4 Art curriculum, delivered through the Eduqas GCSE Art and Design course, is designed to provide an engaging, challenging and meaningful programme of study that supports the development of students’ creative practice.
The Art Department strives to prepare students for life beyond school by equipping them with a wide range of creative and transferable skills. We believe that studying Art helps students to think independently, solve problems, and express ideas confidently—skills that are highly valued in many careers. Some of the ways we support this include:
At KS4, students are encouraged to develop their own individual style and areas of strength, exploring a variety of media and techniques. Through studying the work of established artists and designers, students gain insight into different creative careers and develop a deeper understanding of how Art can be applied in the wider world.
Careers links within Art include:
This list is not exhaustive and continues to evolve as creative industries grow. Studying Art opens up a wide range of pathways, both within the creative sector and beyond, as the skills developed are highly transferable.
If you have any questions, please contact your child’s Art teacher.
