United Kingdom · National Curriculum Attainment Targets
Year 7 Art and Design
A comprehensive introductory course focusing on the transition from primary to secondary art practice. Students develop technical mastery of the formal elements while exploring diverse cultural perspectives and critical analysis techniques.

01The Language of Line and Mark-Making
Students explore the fundamental building blocks of drawing by experimenting with varied media and expressive line quality.
Developing the ability to record from direct observation using continuous line and blind contour techniques.
Investigating how different tools and physical gestures create emotive textures on paper.
Using light and shadow to transform two dimensional shapes into three dimensional forms.
Exploring principles of design to arrange elements effectively within a frame, creating visual harmony or tension.
Investigating how to represent different textures visually and exploring materials with distinct tactile qualities.
Learning basic one-point perspective to create the illusion of depth and space on a two-dimensional surface.
Practicing quick, expressive drawings to capture the essence of a subject's form and movement.
Exploring the interplay between continuous line and free-form scribbling to define form and texture.

02Color Theory and Cultural Identity
An exploration of color mixing, color psychology, and how different cultures utilize palette to express heritage.
Mastering the color wheel, including primary, secondary, and tertiary relationships alongside tints and shades.
Analyzing how artists use color to evoke specific moods and psychological responses in the viewer.
Examining traditional patterns from Islamic art or African textiles to understand repetition and symmetry.
Exploring how artists use color to depict atmosphere, time of day, and seasonal changes in landscapes.
Experimenting with non-representational color application to express feelings or ideas without specific imagery.
Investigating how local materials and traditions influence color choices in folk art from different regions.
Exploring how light sources affect the perception of color and how artists capture these effects.
Understanding how to create harmony and mood using variations of a single color or colors adjacent on the wheel.
Investigating the dynamic visual effects created by pairing colors opposite each other on the color wheel.

03Sculpture and Spatial Awareness
Moving from the page into the physical world by exploring 3D construction and the manipulation of materials.
Learning structural techniques like slotting, tabs, and flanges to build stable 3D structures.
Introduction to ceramic hand-building techniques including pinch pots and slab construction.
Considering how art can interact with a specific location or transform a room.
Creating sculptures by assembling discarded or everyday objects, exploring new meanings and forms.
Exploring how to create forms that project from a flat background, using materials like plaster or clay.
Investigating the role of public sculptures and murals in shaping community identity and urban spaces.
Learning to build internal support structures for sculptures using wire or other materials.
Exploring sculptures that incorporate movement, either through natural forces or mechanical means.

04The Art of the Portrait
Investigating human identity through facial proportions, self-expression, and the history of portraiture.
Mapping the mathematical relationships of the human face to achieve realistic representation.
Creating self-portraits that use symbolic objects and colors to represent personality beyond physical appearance.
Comparing traditional oil portraiture with contemporary digital and photographic approaches.
Exploring how artists exaggerate features to create humorous or critical portraits, focusing on observation and distortion.
Investigating how the subject's gaze in a portrait influences the viewer's experience and interpretation.
Examining how artists incorporate objects, clothing, and settings to convey deeper meanings about the sitter.
Experimenting with non-realistic colors, distorted forms, and bold brushstrokes to convey emotion in portraits.
Investigating how artists arrange multiple figures in a portrait to depict relationships and social dynamics.

05Printmaking and Multiples
Exploring the technical processes of relief printing and the impact of reproducible art on society.
Safely using cutting tools to create blocks for printing and understanding the concept of the 'negative image'.
Studying the work of Andy Warhol and the movement that blurred the lines between high art and commercial culture.
Experimenting with one-off prints and layering different media to create complex visual textures.
Exploring stencil techniques and their application in street art, examining themes of social commentary and public space.
Creating collagraph plates using various textured materials to produce unique prints with rich surface qualities.
Investigating the concept of art as a reproducible object through the creation of small-scale, handmade books or zines.
Introduction to the fundamental concepts of screen printing, including stencil creation and ink application.

06The Natural World: Ethics and Aesthetics
Using nature as a primary source for art-making while considering environmental impact and sustainability.
Focusing on the intricate details and scientific accuracy found in the study of plants and insects.
Studying artists like Andy Goldsworthy who create temporary sculptures using only found natural materials.
Investigating how artists can reduce their environmental footprint by using recycled materials and natural pigments.
Observational drawing and sculptural studies of animal anatomy and capturing dynamic movement.
Exploring how artists interpret and represent the unseen details of nature, from cells to microorganisms.
Investigating how contemporary artists use their work to raise awareness about environmental issues and climate change.

07Digital Art and Media
An introduction to digital tools and techniques for creating and manipulating images, exploring new artistic possibilities.
Learning basic drawing tools and layers in digital art software to create simple illustrations.
Using digital software to combine and alter photographic images, exploring themes of reality and illusion.
Exploring the history and techniques of pixel art, understanding its constraints and unique visual appeal.
Creating simple stop-motion or flipbook animations to understand the principles of movement and sequence.
Combining images, text, and sound to create short digital narratives or visual poems.
Understanding the difference between raster and vector images and creating simple vector shapes and designs.
Exploring various digital brushes and blending modes to simulate traditional painting effects.