Art and Design
Educational Goals
At Neston High School, our Art and Design curriculum is carefully designed to inspire creativity, build technical skill, and develop critical and cultural understanding. Grounded in the three pillars of practical, theoretical, and disciplinary learning, it encourages students to see art as a powerful form of expression while fostering imagination and a lasting appreciation of the visual world. By prioritising depth over breadth, we ensure students build strong foundations and a meaningful understanding of artistic practice. As the curriculum progresses, we continually ask: Do our students know more, and can they do more?
- Curriculum Intent - Art & Design
- Overview & Structure
- Subject Content Breakdown – Key Stage 5 (A-Level Exam Board - AQA)
- Subject Content Breakdown – Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11) - GCSE Examination Board: AQA
- Careers & Further Education Pathways
- Contact and Support
Curriculum Intent - Art & Design
Curriculum Intent
Our intent is to provide students with a broad and balanced program that enables them to explore diverse artistic styles, techniques, and media. Through hands-on projects and reflective learning, students will develop their ability to communicate ideas visually, solve problems innovatively, and appreciate the impact of art in history and contemporary society.
We aim to create a supportive environment where all students can build confidence, experiment fearlessly, and achieve personal artistic growth. By embedding creativity across the curriculum, we prepare learners to contribute thoughtfully and imaginatively to the world around them.
Knowledge & Skills
Through a balance of practical, theoretical, and disciplinary learning, students in Art and Design develop the technical skills, critical understanding, and creative confidence to produce meaningful work. At the heart of our teaching is a strong foundation in the formal elements of art; line, tone, colour, shape, form, texture, pattern, and composition. These are explicitly taught and embedded across a range of media and contexts, enabling students to think and work like artists, make informed connections with visual culture and art history, and communicate ideas with clarity and purpose.
Inclusivity & Accessibility
Our curriculum is closely connected across subjects. In Year 7, Art and Design links with History through topics like Medieval Africa, where students explore West African art traditions such as Mali masks, enriching their historical understanding while fostering creativity and cultural awareness. We also celebrate events like World Book Day, where students bring stories to life through artistic interpretations and character illustrations, strengthening their engagement with literature and encouraging imaginative expression across disciplines.
Real-World Application
A key strength of our curriculum is its strong community focus and commitment to cultural enrichment. Students regularly showcase their work in public exhibitions, such as at Neston Town Hall and the Art Hub in Heswall, celebrating their achievements and engaging with the wider community. We promote confidence and creativity through local and national art competitions, while after-school workshops offer opportunities to develop specialist skills in projects like heat-press t-shirt design and 3D sculpture, encouraging students to push their creative boundaries.
Overview & Structure
Brief Introduction
At Neston High, our Art curriculum extends beyond the classroom to inspire and enrich students’ creative journeys. Regular trips, gallery visits, and location drawing sessions expose students to a wide range of artistic styles and cultural perspectives. Whether sketching real-world environments or exploring professional exhibitions, these experiences build artistic confidence, refine observational skills, and foster a lifelong appreciation of art.
Art and Design at Neston High School develops creativity, critical thinking, and confident expression, grounded in our values of community, aspiration, and kindness. The curriculum motivates students to explore diverse cultures, build empathy, and set ambitious goals. Through collaboration and a commitment to excellence, they grow in integrity and respect. We prepare them for successful futures in art, design, and beyond, empowering thoughtful, skilled, and compassionate individuals ready to drive meaningful change and inspire the world around them.
Subject Content Breakdown – Key Stage 5 (A-Level Exam Board - AQA)
At Neston we offer a range of A-Level Courses including:- Textiles, Graphic Design, Fine Art and Photography (courses run dependent on numbers)
Full specification can be found here: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/art-and-design/a-level/art-and-design-7201/specification
1. Personal investigation
Students are required to conduct a practical investigation, into an idea, issue, concept or theme, supported by written material. The focus of the investigation must be identified independently by the student and must lead to a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes.
The personal investigation equates to 60% of the A-level assessment.
2. Externally set assignment
Separate question papers will be provided for each specialism. Each question paper will consist of a choice of eight questions to be used as starting points. Students are required to select one. Students will be provided with exam papers on 1 February, or as soon as possible after that date.
Preparatory period – from 1 February, following receipt of the paper, students consider the starting points and select one question. Following the preparatory period, students complete 15 hours of unaided, supervised time during which they are expected to produce a finished outcome or a series of related finished outcomes, informed by their preparatory work.
The Exam component equates to 40% of the A-Level assessment
Assessment
Each component is marked out of a total of 96 marks. The same 4 assessment objectives are applied to both components. As the assessment objectives are equally weighted in each of the components, there is a maximum of 24 marks for each of the assessment objectives. The marks, out of 24, for each assessment objective are added together to produce the total mark out of 96. Assessment is completed within the centre and moderated by AQA during a visit to the centre.
Assessment objectives (AOs) are set by Ofqual and are the same across all A-level Art and Design specifications and all exam boards.
Assessment Objectives
- AO1: Develop ideas through sustained and focused investigations informed by contextual and other sources, demonstrating analytical and critical understanding.
- AO2: Explore and select appropriate resources, media, materials, techniques and processes, reviewing and refining ideas as work develops.
- AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions, reflecting critically on work and progress.
- AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and, where appropriate, makes connections between visual and other elements.
Purpose and Impact
The assessment strategy is designed to:
- Build confidence and resilience in tackling complex legal problems
- Ensure students are well-prepared for final exams
- Support long-term retention of knowledge through spaced and interleaved practice
- Encourage a growth mindset by normalising challenge and learning from feedback
Subject Content Breakdown – Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11) - GCSE Examination Board: AQA
At Neston we offer a range of GCSE Courses including:- Textiles, Graphic Design, Fine Art and Photography
Full specification can be found here: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/art-and-design/gcse/art-and-design-8201/specification
1. Portfolio
Students produce a portfolio that in total shows explicit coverage of the four assessment objectives (see below). The portfolio must include a sustained project evidencing the journey from initial engagement to the realisation of intentions and a selection of further work undertaken during the student’s course of study.
The portfolio equates to 60% of the GCSE assessment.
2. Externally set assignment
AQA will provide a separate externally set assignment for each title, each with seven different starting points.
Preparatory period – From 2nd January, following receipt of the paper, students consider the starting points and select one question. Following the preparatory period, students complete 10 hours of unaided, supervised time during which they are expected to produce Students may produce an outcome or a series of related outcomes when realising their intentions.
The Exam component equates to 40% of the GCSE assessment.
Assessment
Each component is marked out of a total of 96 marks. The same 4 assessment objectives are applied to both components. As the assessment objectives are equally weighted in each of the components, there is a maximum of 24 marks for each of the assessment objectives. The marks, out of 24, for each assessment objective are added together to produce the total mark out of 96. Assessment is completed within the centre and moderated by AQA during a visit to the centre. Assessment objectives (AOs) are set by Ofqual
Assessment Objectives
- AO1: Develop ideas through investigations, demonstrating critical understanding of sources.
- AO2: Refine work by exploring ideas, selecting and experimenting with appropriate media, materials, techniques and processes.
- AO3: Record ideas, observations and insights relevant to intentions as work progresses.
- AO4: Present a personal and meaningful response that realises intentions and demonstrates understanding of visual language.
Careers & Further Education Pathways
Due to the range of GCSE and A-level specialist courses taught in the Art and Design department at Neston, students can access a wide range of opportunities for further education and diverse career pathways.
Art and Design Foundation Courses
An Art Foundation course is a one-year programme that bridges the gap between studying art and design related disciplines at secondary school level and undergraduate level. Often students who want to study an art-related degree in the UK will be asked to take a foundation year. There are courses available locally as well as those taught within a university setting. The course gives you a chance to explore different specialisms like drawing, painting, fashion, textiles, installation art, printmaking, graphic illustration, 3D design and fine art. You’ll build up a portfolio of work to show at interview and can make an informed decision on what you might study at a degree level.
Career Prospects
The creative industries represent a huge sector of the Uk and world’s economy. Between 2023-24, around 7% of all UK jobs were in the creative industries, including jobs in subsectors such as: advertising and marketing, architecture, design and designer fashion, product design, illustration, photography, museums and galleries, theatre set design, graphics design including video games etc. Due to the range of GCSE and A-level courses on offer at Neston (Graphic Design, Photography, Fine Art and Textiles) there is a wide range of opportunities for further education and diverse career pathways.
Apprenticeships & Industry Links
From fashion to museum curating and theatre set design, creativity takes on many forms. The creative and design sector reflects this, with a broad array of apprenticeships opportunities including: Fashion and textiles pattern cutter, storyboard artist, Photographic assistant etc. Often students explore volunteering opportunities or work experience placements which can support future job apprenticeship, university or job opportunities. Our curriculum encourages students to develop industry-based skills and knowledge including photoshop skills, cricutter knowledge, machine sewing skills, understanding of DSLR camera and access to shoot room facilities etc. We often have past students return to the department to discuss their experiences of work in creative roles.
Contact and Support
Subject Lead Contact
For any subject-specific queries, curriculum information, or academic support, please contact:
Subject Lead
Miss H Thomas – Art and Design Curriculum Leader: thomash@nestonhigh.com