Art & Design 

 

At Lakeside, our Art & Design department plays a key role in developing your child’s creativity, confidence, and ability to express themselves. Through engaging, hands on lessons and a structured curriculum, students are encouraged to explore a wide range of materials, techniques, and artistic styles.

Art isn’t just about making beautiful things – it helps students think critically, solve problems, and communicate ideas visually. These skills benefit all areas of learning and support emotional well-being.

Years 6–9: Building Skills and Confidence

In Key Stage 2 and 3, students gradually build their artistic abilities through structured projects that introduce new materials and techniques:

Years 6 & 7: Students learn the basics of drawing, painting, pattern-making, and construction. They explore art inspired by famous artists like Van Gogh and Hokusai, helping them develop a deeper appreciation of visual culture.

Year 8: As skills develop, students look at modern art movements and begin learning about graphic design, a useful skill in today’s digital world. They study influential artists like Banksy and Picasso to explore both traditional and contemporary styles.

Year 9: Students start forming more personal responses to art. They explore Pop Art and apply techniques learned in earlier years to produce more thoughtful and individual work.

Years 10–11: Gaining Qualifications with the Arts Award

In Key Stage 4, students take part in the Trinity Arts Award programme – a nationally recognised qualification that helps young people grow as artists and leaders.

The award has five levels: Discover, Explore, Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Students can start at the level that suits them best. The Gold Arts Award is a Level 3 qualification and is worth 16 UCAS points – a valuable addition for students considering further education.

Through this programme, students create and share their own original art and learn from professional artists and try new creative techniques they develop leadership skills by planning and leading their own arts projects and gain a formal qualification that is recognised across the UK.