Art & Design
Intent
At Durham Academy, we want all our students to understand how they can be successful in Art and Design. We believe that every student has the ability to be creative and express themselves using a wide range of materials and techniques. Our aim is for students to gain confidence, develop skill, and grow in independence as they progress through to Year 11. Central to this journey is their understanding and application of the formal elements of art—line, tone, colour, shape, texture, and composition—which are the fundamental building blocks of all art and design. These elements form the visual language that enables students to communicate ideas and emotions effectively through their work.
Our curriculum intent in Art and Design is closely aligned with the National Curriculum and is designed to support the creative and technical development of every student. Students will use a range of techniques to record their observations in sketchbooks, journals, and other media, which will serve as a foundation for exploring and refining their ideas. As they progress, they will grow in confidence in their ability to produce original and creative work, using their own experiences and observations as inspiration.
Students will become increasingly skilled in working with a variety of media and techniques, including drawing, painting, sculpture, and digital tools. They will learn to analyse and evaluate both their own work and that of others, using this reflection to improve the visual impact and effectiveness of their artistic outcomes. We encourage students to work with increasing independence, developing their own creative lines of enquiry and investigation, and exploring ideas with curiosity and critical thinking.
Within the Key Stage 3 programme, we also aim to broaden students’ understanding of the wider art world. Alongside developing practical skills, students are introduced to a diverse range of artists, styles, and cultures. By encountering a wide variety of media and studying the work of different artists and traditions, students gain a richer appreciation of art and its role in society, both past and present.
