Meet the Art and Design Department
Ms J Haigh - Assistant Head (Respect) and Director of Visual Arts Status
Mrs A McCall - Assistant Head and Teacher of Art
Miss L Swierczynski - Head of Faculty for Art and Design
Miss A Pamment - Responsibility - Key Stage 3 Art
Mrs D McGivern - Lead in Photography at KS5 and editor of the School Newsletter
Ms L Swindells - Art and ICT in Art technician
Miss L Waller - Teacher of Art
Miss K Chambers - Part-Time Teacher of Art
Miss L Hainsworth - Part-Time Teacher of Art
Miss S Hussain - Part-Time Teacher of Art
Mr P Colgan - Art Technician
Art and Design at Batley Girls' High School
We believe that art is an activity that can help us to understand and give meaning to the world we live in. We believe that art is a powerful tool in shaping the way people think, and can be a major force in controlling or changing ideas, and in the exploration of values.
Through our art curriculum we aim to provide students with an experience that is non Euro-centric, that challenges racial, cultural, religious, homophobic and gender-based prejudice. The students in the school have the right to an arts experience that extends knowledge and understanding of themselves, the wider arts community and the social, political, cultural, economic and historical context in which art traditions have evolved.
Students aspire through their art learning experiences here to standards of excellence intellectually, practically, and aesthetically. Each student experiences in each year a variety of media and techniques. In KS3 students will develop their skills and understanding with progressive complexity and sophistication, so that they are able to make informed choices and work with increasing independence into Key Stages 4 and 5.
We aim to enable our students to become:
Our syllabus meets with the requirements of the New National Curriculum and is designed to lead to excellence in GCSE with Fine Art and Unendorsed, Art Textiles and Art Graphics disciplines, providing many of our students with a strong foundation from which to excel in further arts-related studies.
Ms J Haigh - Assistant Head (Respect) and Director of Visual Arts Status
Mrs A McCall - Assistant Head and Teacher of Art
Miss L Swierczynski - Head of Faculty for Art and Design
Miss A Pamment - Responsibility - Key Stage 3 Art
Mrs D McGivern - Lead in Photography at KS5 and editor of the School Newsletter
Ms L Swindells - Art and ICT in Art technician
Miss L Waller - Teacher of Art
Miss K Chambers - Part-Time Teacher of Art
Miss L Hainsworth - Part-Time Teacher of Art
Miss S Hussain - Part-Time Teacher of Art
Mr P Colgan - Art Technician
Art and Design at Batley Girls' High School
We believe that art is an activity that can help us to understand and give meaning to the world we live in. We believe that art is a powerful tool in shaping the way people think, and can be a major force in controlling or changing ideas, and in the exploration of values.
Through our art curriculum we aim to provide students with an experience that is non Euro-centric, that challenges racial, cultural, religious, homophobic and gender-based prejudice. The students in the school have the right to an arts experience that extends knowledge and understanding of themselves, the wider arts community and the social, political, cultural, economic and historical context in which art traditions have evolved.
Students aspire through their art learning experiences here to standards of excellence intellectually, practically, and aesthetically. Each student experiences in each year a variety of media and techniques. In KS3 students will develop their skills and understanding with progressive complexity and sophistication, so that they are able to make informed choices and work with increasing independence into Key Stages 4 and 5.
We aim to enable our students to become:
- Successful independent learners who enjoy learning, understand how to make progress and achieve to their potential
- Confident self-managers and team-workers, who are willing to take risks and keep an open-mind about new ideas and techniques
- Responsible citizens aware of the role they play in society and the importance of art in contributing to society
Our syllabus meets with the requirements of the New National Curriculum and is designed to lead to excellence in GCSE with Fine Art and Unendorsed, Art Textiles and Art Graphics disciplines, providing many of our students with a strong foundation from which to excel in further arts-related studies.
Key Stage 3 Art and Design
The curriculum in Key Stage 3 is taught to years 7 and 8 only. The curriculum is organised with an emphasis on building an understanding of skills and concepts in art. Students work with different process and materials and have an opportunity to discover, through the different ways of working, individual strengths.
Process areas will be revisited during the Key Stage, and the teaching of concepts will develop from a basic exploration of colour, pattern and texture to an understanding of the dynamics of composition and digital technologies. Through a strategy of progression the syllabus is designed to equip students with the skills, knowledge and understanding to excel at GCSE, AS and A2.
The emphasis on skills, concepts and ways of working supports a non-euro centric understanding of art. We link art forms from different times, places and cultures through universal concepts that are fundamental to all creative activities. By promoting an understanding of art from a worlds perspective, looking specifically at architecture and symbolism from other cultures, we hope to enable students to engage in a meaningful debate about the philosophy of art in a racial, cultural, religious, political, historic and socio-economic context.
As part of each project of work, artworks and artists will be chosen for study representing the widest possible range of cultures, traditions and historical contexts. We aim to expose students first hand to examples of works of art and craft as much as possible through use of other students work, visiting artists, and annual visits to cities and places of particular cultural interest.
Students will understand their targets from the start of year 7 in Art, and will have regular formative assessment opportunities with each other in lessons and with their class teacher. Students will have summative assessment opportunities at the end of each termly project, where they will review their progress and set individual targets for ways to work towards their targets.
Process areas will be revisited during the Key Stage, and the teaching of concepts will develop from a basic exploration of colour, pattern and texture to an understanding of the dynamics of composition and digital technologies. Through a strategy of progression the syllabus is designed to equip students with the skills, knowledge and understanding to excel at GCSE, AS and A2.
The emphasis on skills, concepts and ways of working supports a non-euro centric understanding of art. We link art forms from different times, places and cultures through universal concepts that are fundamental to all creative activities. By promoting an understanding of art from a worlds perspective, looking specifically at architecture and symbolism from other cultures, we hope to enable students to engage in a meaningful debate about the philosophy of art in a racial, cultural, religious, political, historic and socio-economic context.
As part of each project of work, artworks and artists will be chosen for study representing the widest possible range of cultures, traditions and historical contexts. We aim to expose students first hand to examples of works of art and craft as much as possible through use of other students work, visiting artists, and annual visits to cities and places of particular cultural interest.
Students will understand their targets from the start of year 7 in Art, and will have regular formative assessment opportunities with each other in lessons and with their class teacher. Students will have summative assessment opportunities at the end of each termly project, where they will review their progress and set individual targets for ways to work towards their targets.
Key Stage 4 Art and Design
In key stage 4 and 5 we have arranged the curriculum to meet with the AQA subject examination criteria. Projects are planned to enable freedom of choice regarding materials and techniques and we encourage students to pursue personal interests as a source of inspiration.
Schemes of work offer a range of starting points including observation, the work of others, and thematic enquiry. This combines a realistic challenge for those who are initially less able and the opportunity to excel for those who are more confident. We place great emphasis on the process of making and the journey of the students’ work. We provide regular opportunities for groups to discuss their work and share ideas both in class and in weekly extra support sessions.
These courses suit students who enjoy being practical and creative and expressing their own ideas and feelings. Skills developed here will be easily transferable to other media or design-related subjects.
We have broadened our Key Stage 4 packages to provide a more personalised curriculum. We currently run a Btec Art and Design course to two groups in year 9 and we are part of a group of schools nationally trialling the Creative Media Diploma at year 10. Both courses emphasize vocational links, and enable students to develop essential skills used in modern creative industries.
The ART GCSE course is offered to all students in year 9, with the option to take their Fine Art GCSE either over two or three years. Those who gain the Fine Art GCSE in year 10 will be able to study a second Art GCSE endorsement into year 11, or fast-track early onto AS Fine Art. Key Stage 4 Art is based on a series of projects with an emphasis on practical artwork covering processes such as painting, printing, textiles, relief, clay, 3D, photography, and digital media. Topics cover a broad range of ideas giving students the chance to explore feelings about themselves and the world around them.
For students who take their Fine Art GCSE in year 10, they will have the opportunity to specialise for a second art qualification in year 11, pursuing areas such as Art Textile, Photography and Unendorsed, 3D Design and Arts Graphics.
The final GCSE is made up of 60% coursework and 40% controlled test. Each project includes a balanced combination of :
The exam is practical, not written and will take place in the summer term of the course over a 2 day period. We encourage all students to aim for the highest possible grade and will support you to attain the grade you deserve. We are proud of our success in both Key Stage 4 and 5, attaining 98%+ A*-C every year for over 5 years now.
Schemes of work offer a range of starting points including observation, the work of others, and thematic enquiry. This combines a realistic challenge for those who are initially less able and the opportunity to excel for those who are more confident. We place great emphasis on the process of making and the journey of the students’ work. We provide regular opportunities for groups to discuss their work and share ideas both in class and in weekly extra support sessions.
These courses suit students who enjoy being practical and creative and expressing their own ideas and feelings. Skills developed here will be easily transferable to other media or design-related subjects.
We have broadened our Key Stage 4 packages to provide a more personalised curriculum. We currently run a Btec Art and Design course to two groups in year 9 and we are part of a group of schools nationally trialling the Creative Media Diploma at year 10. Both courses emphasize vocational links, and enable students to develop essential skills used in modern creative industries.
The ART GCSE course is offered to all students in year 9, with the option to take their Fine Art GCSE either over two or three years. Those who gain the Fine Art GCSE in year 10 will be able to study a second Art GCSE endorsement into year 11, or fast-track early onto AS Fine Art. Key Stage 4 Art is based on a series of projects with an emphasis on practical artwork covering processes such as painting, printing, textiles, relief, clay, 3D, photography, and digital media. Topics cover a broad range of ideas giving students the chance to explore feelings about themselves and the world around them.
For students who take their Fine Art GCSE in year 10, they will have the opportunity to specialise for a second art qualification in year 11, pursuing areas such as Art Textile, Photography and Unendorsed, 3D Design and Arts Graphics.
The final GCSE is made up of 60% coursework and 40% controlled test. Each project includes a balanced combination of :
- Observation and recording of ideas on sheets and in sketchbooks
- Experimenting with a range of materials and techniques
- A series of studies showing progression from a starting point to a personal, original and creative response
- Exploration and understanding of the work of other artists through both second hand and first hand contact
The exam is practical, not written and will take place in the summer term of the course over a 2 day period. We encourage all students to aim for the highest possible grade and will support you to attain the grade you deserve. We are proud of our success in both Key Stage 4 and 5, attaining 98%+ A*-C every year for over 5 years now.
Key Stage 5 Art and Design
Advanced Art and Design is examined through four modules taken over two years. Although students may, if they wish, just study the one year AS course by taking the first two modules.
Students can opt to select Fine Art, Photography, Art Textiles or Art Graphics AS courses alone in combination with other courses, or as part of the Arts Package combined together to suit student interests.
The emphasis in these courses is learning by doing, so students will be encouraged to create imaginative personal work. In the AS year, they will produce a portfolio of coursework. This gives them the time to develop new skills with drawing, painting, observation and expressive ideas, and work with a range of media and an artist in residence.
50% coursework and 50% controlled test
Students will gain expertise in the following areas:
Painting, observation, abstract, expressive work, printing, tie-dye, batik, 3D construction, relief work, installation, design, fashion, digital technologies such as photography, Photoshop, animation and video editing.
As part of the course you will be encouraged to visit galleries, museums, and explore the work of other artists. Students will have the opportunity to participate in gallery visits locally, nationally and internationally with annual visits to cities of culture in England and abroad.
Above all the students will be successful if they are original ideas and they are working from personal thoughts and feelings, and make sure they do their very best and make the most of all opportunities we give them.
Students can opt to select Fine Art, Photography, Art Textiles or Art Graphics AS courses alone in combination with other courses, or as part of the Arts Package combined together to suit student interests.
The emphasis in these courses is learning by doing, so students will be encouraged to create imaginative personal work. In the AS year, they will produce a portfolio of coursework. This gives them the time to develop new skills with drawing, painting, observation and expressive ideas, and work with a range of media and an artist in residence.
50% coursework and 50% controlled test
Students will gain expertise in the following areas:
Painting, observation, abstract, expressive work, printing, tie-dye, batik, 3D construction, relief work, installation, design, fashion, digital technologies such as photography, Photoshop, animation and video editing.
As part of the course you will be encouraged to visit galleries, museums, and explore the work of other artists. Students will have the opportunity to participate in gallery visits locally, nationally and internationally with annual visits to cities of culture in England and abroad.
Above all the students will be successful if they are original ideas and they are working from personal thoughts and feelings, and make sure they do their very best and make the most of all opportunities we give them.
Trips and Visits
Annual Trips
Artists we have recently worked with
- The whole of year 7 visit Bretton Hall Sculpture Park in the summer term. This is a cross-curricular visit involving music, drama and media.
- Yr12 annual visit to Liverpool’s galleries and sights as a city of culture
- KS5 annual visit to London’s galleries and sights as a national capital of culture
- Regular local photoshoots are undertaken during lesson times as part of KS5 Photography course
- KS5 annual international visits to take place over February half term for 4 days, 3 nights. Our recent trips have included New York, Barcelona and Prague
Artists we have recently worked with
- Rommi Smith creative writer and Jake Attree fine artist as part of Kirklees Art and Literacy project 2008
- Zoom Animation as part of year 8 Professional Practice Project 2006
- Michael Barratt Graphic artist as part of Btec Art and Design with year 9, and year 10 Creative Media Diploma 2007 and 2008
- Jenny Milne textiles artist with year 10 GCSE Unendorsed students 2006
- Shameela Hussain fine artist with year 10 Fine Art students 2007
- Joe Hill video artist with year 12 Fine Art students 2007 and 2008
- Royal Academy drawing workshop with year 12 Fine Art students 2008
- Tom Wood fine artist with year 12 Fine Art students as part of North Light Academy workshops