Art & Design

Art, Design and Technology at Sheffield High School is a successful and lively department which currently comprises three full-time and one part-time member of staff and a full time technician (a recent Fine Art graduate).

We work together as a strong team celebrating our strengths. Our specialisms cover Drawing and Painting, Printmaking, Textiles, Ceramics, Sculpture and Digital Photography.

We deliver a rich and varied curriculum which encourages an enjoyment and understanding of Art and Design. We believe that learning the language of art enables students to respond visually to the world around them.

At each Key Stage students have the opportunity, through curriculum and extra-curricular activities, to explore the work of artists and designers.

Key Stage 3

Our Key Stage 3 curriculum introduces the formal language of Art and Design e.g. line, tone, colour, pattern and composition. We see drawing as a vital and fundamental skill and this is delivered through a series of projects which are thought-provoking and interesting to the students in this age group.

Students are introduced to the idea of a sketchbook as an important part of their work. In Year 9 our ‘Design Day’ teaches the basics of Photoshop and allows the students to experience aspects of Art and Design beyond education. This year we have a successful young freelance designer coming into school and she will be telling our students about her career and showing her work.

Key Stage 4

Art and Design GCSE is popular and successful at Sheffield High School. We follow the AQA unendorsed course which allows students to build on their skills from Key Stage 3 and use them creatively in a variety of media areas.

Key Stage 5

‘This is a fine course which allows candidates to explore their own ideas and produce some highly creative work of a very impressive standard’. – Moderator’s Report.

The ‘Journey’

At AS and A-level, students work increasingly independently, exploring their own ‘journey’.

Students can use their portfolio of Art and Design A-level work to apply for many Art and Design-related careers. We keep in contact with ex-pupils who have gone on to study aspects of Art and Design and we invite them into school to share their experiences with our current students.

Extra Curricular Activities

We run popular lunchtime clubs throughout the school and students can work in the studios at lunchtimes. We also regularly enter students’ work into exhibitions and competitions outside school.