Art

Introduction

Our GCSE Fine Art curriculum at KPHS is designed to develop confident, creative and independent artists who can communicate personal ideas, experiences and observations through a wide range of artistic processes. We follow the Edexcel Fine Art specification where students are encouraged to explore, experiment and take creative risks while developing the technical skills, critical understanding and resilience required for success in both education and the creative industries.

Throughout the course, students engage with a broad range of artistic disciplines, materials and techniques, enabling them to discover their strengths and establish a personal artistic identity. During Unit 1 (Coursework), students work independently through a chosen theme, such as Natural Forms, Portraiture or a self-directed personal project. 

As students progress, our Art teachers act as facilitators, guiding and challenging individuals to develop meaningful and ambitious responses. Students investigate relevant artists, craftspeople and designers, analysing how creative practitioners communicate ideas and applying these influences to their own work.

Experimentation is at the heart of our KPHS curriculum. Students explore drawing, painting, mixed media, printmaking, photography and three-dimensional processes, refining their skills through sustained practice and reflection. As our students’ confidence grows, they begin to specialise in the media and techniques that best support their intentions, demonstrating increasing independence and ownership of their creative journey. Through regular evaluation and critical analysis, students learn to make informed decisions, refine their work and articulate their creative thinking.

In Unit 2, the Externally Set Assignment (ESA), students respond to a theme set by Edexcel. They investigate and deconstruct the starting points, selecting a pathway that reflects their interests and personal experiences. Building upon the skills developed during coursework, students undertake a sustained period of independent enquiry, producing a personal and meaningful final outcome that addresses all four assessment objectives: developing ideas, refining work through experimentation, recording observations, and presenting a personal response.

The Fine Art curriculum aims to develop our students’ curiosity, imagination and cultural awareness while promoting confidence, perseverance and self-expression. Students leave the course with a strong portfolio of work, advanced creative skills and the ability to think critically, solve problems and communicate visually. These transferable skills support future study, employment and lifelong engagement with the arts and creative industries.

How Art Supports Our School Values

We Co-operate
Our students co-operate through peer discussions, critiques and collaborative exploration of artists, themes and techniques. They develop respect for different viewpoints while supporting one another's growth as creative practitioners.

We Pioneer
Our students are encouraged to pioneer new ideas through experimentation, independent enquiry and creative risk-taking. By exploring different materials, techniques and concepts, they develop the confidence to innovate and create original, personal outcomes.

We Belong
In our KPHS classrooms our students develop a sense of belonging by sharing creative ideas, discussing artists and celebrating diverse perspectives through art. The curriculum values individual experiences and encourages every student to find their own artistic voice within a supportive creative community.

What our students say…

“I enjoy creating different outcomes and experimenting with different art styles, medias and techniques.” 

“I like how art crosses over into different subjects. I have been working on a project that links to anatomy.” 

“I feel like I have progressed with my drawing skills, being taught how to use proportions and scale when drawing.”

Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) in Art

Studying GCSE Art develops visual literacy, creative problem-solving, technical dexterity, and critical analysis skills. These skills are highly valued across the creative, digital and design industries, helping students solve complex visual or spatial challenges, make informed aesthetic decisions, and work with project briefs in a wide variety of professional contexts.

Career Areas Linked to Art:

• Fine Art, Curation & Gallery Management – applying technical skill, creative expression, and critical evaluation to produce original artwork, manage exhibition spaces, and preserve visual heritage.
• Design, Fashion & Textiles – using visual experimentation, material knowledge, and spatial awareness to design clothing, create branding, and develop physical consumer products.
• Digital Media, Animation & Game Design – employing software fluency, visual storytelling, and conceptual thinking to build immersive digital worlds, character models, and user interfaces.
• Architecture, Interior & Spatial Design – using structural planning, drawing precision, and aesthetic judgment to design buildings, plan functional indoor environments, and model landscapes.
• Education, Arts Therapy & Community Outreach – sharing technical techniques, fostering creative confidence, and using artistic processes to support mental health or lead community projects.

Art can lead to careers in the following Greater Manchester growth sectors:

www.gmacs.co.uk/beeline/digital-and-technology

www.gmacs.co.uk/beeline/creative-culture-and-sport

www.gmacs.co.uk/beeline/construction-and-the-green-economy

For more information about careers linked to Art, visit:

Art and design - icould

Jobs that use Art and Design - Careers - BBC Bitesize

After GCSE you can study Art at Rochdale Sixth Form College, Oldham Sixth Form College, Bury College, Hopwood Hall College, Oldham College and Manchester College.

For further information about the Art curriculum, please contact: info@kingswaypark.org