Art Curriculum Overview
Art & Design – Key Learning
At PACA, Art & Design develops confident, creative and independent young artists. Students learn how to express ideas visually, experiment with materials, think critically about the work of artists, and refine their own practice over time. From Year 7 through to GCSE, learners build strong technical foundations and increasingly personal creative responses.
What Students Learn
Developing Technical Skills
Students gradually master a wide range of artistic techniques, including:
- Drawing (tone, line, proportion, form, perspective)
- Painting and colour theory
- Printmaking (collagraph, monoprint, polyprint)
- Textiles and mixed media (appliqué, embroidery, collage)
- 3D work (clay, card construction, sculpture)
- Photography and digital manipulation
Understanding and Using Visual Language
Across KS3 and GCSE, students learn how to:
- Understand and apply the formal elements: line, tone, colour, shape, form, texture, pattern
- Analyse artworks using specialist vocabulary
- Explore how artists communicate meaning, culture, identity and ideas
- Develop annotation and presentation skills in sketchbooks
Exploring Themes and Ideas
Each year explores broad themes that introduce cultural understanding, creativity and personal expression:
Year 7
- Drawing objects and exploring tonal shading
- Understanding colour and paint through “food” art
- Creating animal‑inspired pattern using textiles and print
Year 8
- Still life and abstraction
- Portraiture, identity and expressive photography
- Japanese‑inspired pattern design and printmaking
Year 9
- Tradition & culture (e.g., Mexico, Día de los Muertos, Aztec design)
- Interiors, architecture and environmental spaces
- Text, protest and typography in art
Progression into GCSE
By the end of KS3, students are confident using a wide range of materials and can independently create work using artist inspiration, experimentation and informed visual choices.
At GCSE, students extend this through:
Coursework Portfolio (Year 10–11)
- Exploring Natural Forms, Objects & Environment, Portraits & Identity
- Investigating artists and developing personal ideas
- Refining skills across media of their choice
- Recording ideas through drawing, photography and annotation
- Producing final outcomes that show meaning and intention
Exam Project (Year 11)
- Responding to an externally set theme
- Deep experimentation and idea development
- A 10‑hour practical exam producing a final piece
How Students Are Supported
- Regular feedback and structured assessment
- Clear modelling of techniques and sketchbook work
- Opportunities to personalise projects
- Exposure to diverse artists, cultures and creative approaches
- A curriculum that gradually increases challenge and independence
What Students Gain
By the end of GCSE, PACA art students are able to:
- Work confidently and independently with a broad range of media
- Think critically about their work and the work of others
- Communicate ideas visually with skill and intention
- Produce original, personal and meaningful outcomes
- Build a portfolio suitable for further creative study
The Art Curriculum Intent and Maps are available here
The Art AQA GCSE Specification is available here
We also invite Y6 students from local schools to take part in Art workshops during the term. This gives Y6s a chance to experience high school learning before they transition into Y7. Here are some photos and work from our latest workshop with Mile Oak School. 
It’s a really creative school and encourages students to achieve their potential and to help them pursue their dreams. They also have so many clubs to get involved in its unbelievable!
PACA Student
Photography Curriculum Overview
Photography – Key Learning
At PACA, Photography gives students the technical, creative and analytical skills needed to communicate ideas visually. Students learn how to use DSLR cameras, explore photographic style and composition, and develop confident editing skills using both digital (Photoshop) and manual techniques. They are encouraged to experiment widely, analyse the work of photographers, and produce meaningful and personal outcomes.
What Students Learn
Developing Technical Skills
Across the Photography course, students learn to:
- Use DSLR cameras confidently, including aperture, shutter speed, ISO and manual shooting modes
- Apply key compositional techniques such as rule of thirds, viewpoint, angle and framing
- Work with lighting, both natural and artificial
- Edit photographs using Photoshop and manual editing processes
- Produce high‑quality portfolio pages that show development, refinement and critique
Exploring Creativity and Style
Students build creative independence by learning to:
- Understand the formal elements in photography: line, texture, colour, contrast, pattern, form and space
- Experiment with abstract photography, distortion, collage and mixed media
- Analyse the work of a range of photographers and artists to inspire and shape their own ideas
- Develop and present photoshoots that explore theme, mood, narrative and visual intention
Year‑by‑Year Key Learning
Year 10
Formal Elements (Autumn)
Students begin with an introduction to the DSLR camera, photographic terminology and the structure of coursework.
They learn how to critique photographers’ work, complete their first photoshoots, and develop editing skills using both manual processes and Photoshop.
Abstract Portraits (Spring)
Students run a sustained project exploring abstract approaches to portraiture.
They investigate multiple photographers, develop experimental photoshoots, and learn how to structure a successful long‑term project.
Abstract Portraits (Completion) & Scapes (Summer)
Students complete their final outcomes for Abstract Portraits, then begin Scapes, exploring landscapes, cityscapes and seascapes.
They gather photoshoots, study new photographers, and continue to develop their editing processes.
Year 11
Scapes (Autumn)
Students deepen their work on Scapes by experimenting with new editing ideas, researching further photographers, planning final outcomes and completing new photoshoots.
Exam Project (Spring & Summer)
Students explore an externally set theme, investigating multiple interpretations before choosing a direction.
They experiment widely, refine techniques, conduct critical studies and build their project in an organised sketchbook.
They complete a final 10‑hour exam piece.
How Students Are Supported
Throughout the course, students receive:
- Regular feedback through three‑weekly assessments
- Structured guidance on presentation, critique and project development
- Opportunities to personalise their work by selecting themes, photographers and media approaches
- Support in developing both digital and manual editing confidence
What Students Gain
By the end of the course, students are able to:
- Use DSLR cameras with confidence and intention
- Edit images using advanced digital and manual methods
- Analyse and respond to a wide range of photographic artists
- Produce creative, experimental and well‑developed visual outcomes
- Demonstrate independence, curiosity and strong visual communication skills
The Photography Curriculum Intent and Maps are available here
The Photography AQA GCSE Specification is available here
