Art & Design

Our vision:

The Arts department at Orsett Heath Academy aims to develop students’ abilities to think creatively and make connections with the wider world of Art and Design. Through the exploration of different media, they will have opportunities to develop their own ideas and creatively express concepts and experiences. They will develop their capacity to create, talk, write and think like artists and designers.

We aim to build these qualities with an experience that is exciting and that is rich in skills and knowledge. Through our curriculum, learners not only learn how to use formal elements and become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other craft techniques but they will also analyse how this is used as a powerful communication tool to create effect. There are many opportunities for collaboration in the classroom as pupils regularly peer and self-assess their artwork, with a focus on developing their annotation skills over time.

In KS3, students will develop their skills and understanding with progressive complexity so that they are able to make informed choices and work with increasing independence into KS4. We aim for pupils’ knowledge of artistic concepts, principles and language to be embedded and extended throughout their time at Orsett Heath.

The Arts department aim to broaden pupils’ cultural capital as they learn about artists from a spectrum of backgrounds, genders, ethnicities and beliefs. Additionally, pupils have opportunities to take part in workshops and creative projects as well as producing work in the community by working closely with the Royal Opera House and other schools in the SWECET trust. Cross-curricular learning is prevalent, particularly with subjects such as English, PSHE, History and Creative Curriculum, in order for pupils to deepen their understanding and question the world around them.

We are very proud of our department here at Orsett Heath Academy and believe that the sequence of the curriculum is designed for students to gain deeper understanding of prior knowledge and continually revisit skills and build on them.  We are preparing the students to realise their intentions when developing their own work and to be ready for the next step in their artistic journey after their time at Orsett Heath Academy.

We see our key objectives as:

  • For pupils to understand the way ranges of artists work and apply the artists’ skills into their own work.
  • To develop skills and accuracy using a range of different materials, media and techniques and to show creativity using them.
  • To produce a variety of work to a high standard which leads up to a final outcome that links to the rest of the project.
  • To show an appreciation of artwork through annotation that reflects their knowledge of artistic concepts, principles or language.
  • For pupils to enjoy producing artwork and have opportunities for self-expression and advocacy.

As a department, we believe that Art is important to a student’s programme of study for a number of reasons:

  • Art encourages self-expression and creativity and can build confidence,as well as a sense of individual identity. Creativity can also help with wellbeing and improve health and happiness.
  • Studying Art and Design provides the opportunity to acquire new skills, as well as knowledge of different art forms, media and techniques.
  • It develops critical thinking and the ability to interpret the world around us. Pupils will be able to develop their cultural capital by learning about artists from different periods of history, cultures, genders and ethnicities.
  • Art and Design fosters imagination and confidence: skills that are transferable to every other subject on the school curriculum and, critically, are indispensable in a wide array of jobs.

Learning Journey

Key Stage Three Programme of Study

Key Stage Four Programme of Study

Exam Board – AQA Art and Design

Names and email addresses of key post-holders:

 Miss Sumption                              Art Teacher – sumptionf@oha.swecet.org