It is our intention at Harbour Vale School to develop curious creativity, understanding, progression and positivity through sequenced, relevant and engaging lessons. We deliver an adaptive and research based art curriculum centred around foundation art skills, which students employ to explore and further develop independent and collaborative creative experience. Our curriculum is designed to scaffold individual and shared knowledge to encourage work that is developed from core knowledge, fulfils creative intention/s and thoroughly investigates, deepens and develops visual language. HVS art students develop their knowledge of art, artists and cultures to inspire and enrich their own and others’ creative growth and cultural capital. Traditional media and techniques are complemented by contemporary thought and practice.
Our students learn to develop critical thinking skills, creative problem solving and to scaffold confidence in articulating their responses and ideas visually, verbally and in written forms.
The Formal Elements form a central spine for all learning, responses and success. Students have the opportunity to explore a wide range of traditional and contemporary media both in 2D and 3D and where possible will engage in art activities in the wider community. We provide a creative and community based environment allowing students of all abilities and stages to enhance and build upon prior knowledge in a safe, challenging and aspirational environment based on mutual respect and British Values. A relational and therapeutic approach is embedded to facilitate the improvement of key academic and personal skills to aspire for a future beyond HVS.
To support and recognise creative achievement at HVS we offer Arts Award and GCSE.
It is our intention that every student at Harbour Vale School will work towards Arts Award ‘Discover’ and ‘Explore’ certification. This applies to onsite and Pathways students and short and long term placements.
All students will access art lessons at KS3 and have the choice to study GCSE Art and Design at KS4.
GCSE Art and Design is split into two components:
C1 and C2 is Externally Moderated.
At HVS, our commitment to all students’ creative development is underpinned by Arts Award.
All KS4 Students, whether onsite or on our pathways programme will follow the Art Award Discover and in some cases Explore certification, thereby receiving recognition of their engagement and celebrating success.
All students in art at HVS are encouraged and challenged to explore their full creative potential no matter their starting point. Student progress will be measured through regular portfolio, creative outcomes and assessment as they move through their learning pathway. Students will be aware of and be able to create in a wide range of media and techniques. Students will be able to engage, recognise and talk about art with increasing confidence and will develop a wider appreciation of art and culture from different genres and cultures from around the world (Cultural Capital). The ability to present work both physically and verbally will be evident and students will be able to articulate ideas and artwork with increasing levels of vocabulary and oracy.
Students will be able to measure success through common assessment language (assessment objectives and taxonomy) based on the Formal Elements and around assessment criteria (EDEXCEL/Pearson and Arts Award/Trinity College/Discover/Explore) Students will acquire demonstrably transferable skills that they can transfer to future learning at Post 16 ensuring that they are equipped to contribute positively to their communities, future workplace and career/s.
Partnerships and wider creative collaborations:
To enhance school based art and design provision, we are committed to engaging and building creative partnerships to support creative progression and cultural capital.
Oliver’s Cafe: in Sherborne works with us closely to provide local community art engagement opportunities. Window designs designed and made by HVS art students have this year won two competitions through The Sherborne Chamber of Commerce and British Legion.
AUB – Arts University Bournemouth: Annual Being a Boy Creative Workshops and AUB/HVS creative partnership.
Hauser and Wirth International Art Gallery/Bruton: Art based trips and partnership to enrich wider appreciation and knowledge.
Arts Award: We are a recognised Arts Award Centre. Arts Award is affiliated to Trinity College and Arts Council England.
GCSE: Recognised Edexcel GCSE centre.
We are proud of our local and national associations with the above institutions and are committed in working towards rapidly developing further art opportunities.
AUB: Arts University Bournemouth (Being a Boy)