Art and Design
Art and Design at Fairley House has an expressive, creative ethos, which is supported by lively and dynamic teaching at all levels of study. The department aims to stimulate and foster individual development through a wide range of activities including drawing, painting, textiles, printmaking, 3D modelling and construction.
The artistic pursuits we follow are highly versatile and open gateways into creative careers, business and wellness. We promote an inclusive and inspiring atmosphere of enquiry where students can feel relaxed to produce work they are truly proud of.
Additionally, we have a wide range of artistic activities on offer to all students including after school clubs, workshops with visiting art specialists, outside speakers and trips. By investigating the work of other artists, designers and craftspeople the students engage with artistic theory, and how they can incorporate it or expand on it in their own work.
We are adamant there are no mistakes in art, only different forms of creative expression and we seek to unleash the creativity within each and every pupil at Fairley House School.
Our aims are to:
- promote creativity and free expression
- develop students’ fine motor skills
- deliver transdisciplinary lessons
- endorse students’ handling of different artistic materials including mixed-media
- teach students’ how to translate their artistic ideas into physical output
- develop and extend students’ practical skills and their verbal and visual literacy
- encourage creative risks, observational skills and to use observation from life
- give students’ confidence, enthusiasm and a sense of achievement
- teach students’ to recognise other people’s art and other artists’ methods, and to use them in their own work
- inspire students’ to develop their own ideas, from design to the end product
- increase students’ understanding and appreciation of art, artists, craftsmen and designers
- develop imaginative and original thought and experimentation
Throughout Key Stages 1 and 2 children investigate colour, pattern, shape and form. They use a range of materials to create their own drawings, paintings, 3D models and collages. Each year they are encouraged to build on existing skills and develop them further.
Children are given opportunities to develop their observation skills by looking closely at objects while drawing. They learn the basic principles of perspective in landscapes and how this affects objects depicted in relation to each other, as well as learn the proportions of the human form.
The children are taught different drawing techniques and encouraged to apply these techniques to their own work, using a range of materials. They learn the basic principles of line drawing and shading and develop skills in representing form using different equipment, including charcoal and ink.
Children learn about the simple theories of colour and colour mixing, including mixing tints and shades, and how colour can be used to express emotion. They use colour in different mediums, including pastels, felt tips and pencils, and experiment with applying watercolour and acrylic paint. They learn how to create simple repeat patterns and use different materials to produce block prints, including lino cuts. They create 3D forms using air-drying clay and other modelling materials.
For each project, children investigate the work of an artist or a group of artists. They are encouraged to look closely at the work and to describe what they see within it. They learn to justify their views and opinions when critiquing the work of well-known artists and begin to use more advanced language when talking about their own work. Children learn to value their work and are encouraged to improve on their skills.
Following the Art and Design curriculum at Key Stage 3 students have the opportunity to experience various methods of observational drawing, still life painting, portraits, mosaics, pattern making, masks, clay work, rubbings, collage, lino printing, wire construction, abstract art and papier machѐ.
In Year 8 students choose whether they want to continue with Art or Design in Year 9.
We currently offer the NCFE Level 1 and Level 2 Certificates in Art and Design
Art
Curriculum Map 2024-25
Design and Technology
Curriculum Map 2024-25
Textiles
Curriculum Map 2024-25
Our School
London’s leading day school for children with specific learning differences