Art at Hermitage Academy aims to develop and nurture creativity through hands-on experiences of a wide range of processes. Drawing underpins all creative outcomes such as painting, printmaking, ceramics, collage and photography, these are developed further in Key Stages 3 and 4. Self-expression and creativity and can build confidence as well as a sense of individual identity. We encourage pupils to develop critical thinking and an understanding of visual language to interpret the world around us.
We encourage our pupils to explore visual, tactile and other sensory experiences to communicate ideas and meanings. They work with traditional and new media, developing confidence, competence and imagination. We pride ourselves on the variety of specialist resources and ideas from which to develop a wide variety of subject specialist skills. They learn to appreciate and value images and artefacts across times and cultures, and to understand the contexts in which they were made.
Pupils reflect critically on their own and that of others, judging quality, value and meaning. They learn to think and act as artists, craftspeople and designers, working creatively, intelligently and independently. Using the formal elements of art and design, pupils articulate their thoughts and opinions about artwork from a range of artists, designers and practitioners, and the work of their own and peers with subject-specific terminology.
In Key Stage 3, a wide variety of drawing, painting, mixed media, printmaking and sculpture allow pupils to explore and develop ideas and design processes whilst learning about divine proportion, pictorial space, colour theory and composition; a range of materials, techniques and processes are explored.
In Key Stage 4, students are invited to advance upon processes introduced at Key Stage 3 to develop their confidence and creativity. Specialist disciplines covered at GCSE include photography and fine art.
“Art makes children powerful” (Bob & Roberta Smith, 2003)