Art

Art at CHS South is about creativity, discovery, and expression. Students explore, experiment, and develop the skills needed to navigate and interpret an increasingly visual world. Through Art, they gain confidence, cultural understanding, and the ability to shape their own outcomes - preparing them for further study, future careers, and life beyond the classroom.

 

Our Intent

Our mission is to ignite creativity, uncover potential, and develop transferable skills through the arts, moulding Creative, Happy, and Successful learners.

The Art Department aims to:

• Develop imagination and creative thinking.

• Offer a wide range of art, craft, and design experiences.

• Support and nurture students to shape their own outcomes.

• Build deep cultural knowledge and understanding.

• Empower students to express identity and heritage.

• Equip students with transferable skills for learning and employment.

• Engage students with contemporary artists and relevant themes.

 

Curriculum Information

Key Stage 3

Year 7 Art Year 8 Art Year 9 Art Elective

Key Stage 4

Year 10 Art & Design (Art, Craft and Design) Year 11 Art & Design (Art, Craft and Design)

 

Why Study Art?

Studying Art at CHS South helps students grow into confident, creative, and reflective individuals by developing:

Creativity – turning imagination into original ideas and outcomes.

Confidence – taking risks and learning without fear of failure.

Critical thinking – questioning, analysing, and re-imagining the world.

Cultural awareness – engaging with heritage, identity, and contemporary issues.

Transferable skills – problem-solving, resilience, time management, and communication.

 

Meet the Team

Mr. McGill - Curriculum Leader for Visual Arts

Miss. Deegan – Assistant Curriculum Leader for Visual Arts

Miss. Lucas - Teacher

Mr. Palmer – Teacher

Miss. Whitwell - Teacher

 

Enrichment Opportunities

Students can extend their artistic journey through:

 

• After-school sessions and workshops

• Art clubs and creative projects

• School exhibitions and showcases

• Trips to galleries, museums, and cultural venues

• Links with live briefs for real companies 

 

How Parents/Carers Can Support at Home

• Provide basic art materials at home for experimentation.

• Encourage visits to galleries, exhibitions, or online collections.

• Discuss your child’s artwork and praise effort as well as outcome.

• Support research into different artists and styles.

• Encourage creative expression through drawing, painting, or digital media

 

Further Study:

Post-GCSE Pathways
A Level Art & Design:

• Continue developing your skills and personal style through more advanced study in areas like Fine Art, Graphic Design, Photography, or Textiles. This prepares you for creative careers or university-level study.

Specialist Creative Pathways:

• Consider vocational or BTEC courses focused on specific creative fields such as Animation, Fashion Design, Illustration, or Digital Media, offering practical skills alongside artistic development.

University and Higher Education:
Pursue degree courses in creative disciplines, including:

• Fine Art: Deepen your understanding of traditional and contemporary art-making techniques.

• Design: Explore Graphic, Product, Interior, or Fashion Design with practical and theoretical knowledge.

• Architecture: Combine creativity with technical skills to design buildings and environments.

• Illustration: Develop skills for publishing, advertising, and media industries.

• Fashion: Study clothing design, textiles, and fashion business.

• Photography: Learn professional techniques, digital editing, and visual storytelling.

 

Career Links:

Creative Arts & Design Fine Artist: Create original artworks for galleries, commissions, or exhibitions using a variety of media and techniques. Illustrator: Produce drawings and visuals for books, magazines, advertising, and digital media. Fashion Designer: Design clothing, accessories, and footwear, combining creativity with knowledge of fabrics and trends. Graphic Designer: Use digital tools to create visuals for branding, advertising, websites, and print media. Architect: Plan and design buildings and structures, blending creativity with engineering and technical skills. Product Designer: Develop innovative products, from household items to technology, focusing on usability and aesthetics.	Media & Entertainment Photographer: Capture images for artistic, commercial, or journalistic purposes, mastering lighting, composition, and editing. Animator: Create moving images and visual effects for film, TV, video games, or online media. Set Designer: Design and build physical or digital environments for theatre, film, and television productions. Art Director: Oversee the visual style and creative direction of projects such as advertising campaigns, magazines, or films. Games Designer: Develop concepts, visuals, and gameplay for video and computer games, combining art and technology.
Education Art Teacher: Inspire and teach students of all ages in schools, colleges, or community settings. Workshop Leader: Run creative sessions and projects for groups, encouraging artistic skills and expression. Lecturer: Teach art and design subjects at university or college level, often combining research with education.	Cultural & Heritage Curator: Manage art collections, organise exhibitions, and care for artworks in museums or galleries. Arts Administrator: Coordinate and promote arts events, manage budgets, and support artists or organisations. Gallery Educator: Develop educational programmes and activities to engage visitors with exhibitions and collections.
Wellbeing & Therapy Art Therapist: Use creative processes to help people improve their mental health and wellbeing. Community Arts Practitioner: Lead art projects that engage local communities, often focusing on social inclusion and empowerment.	Business & Industry Creative Producer: Manage and coordinate creative projects, from advertising campaigns to live events or productions. Marketing/PR Specialist: Use creativity and communication skills to promote brands, products, or artists. Branding Consultant: Develop and refine visual identities for businesses or products to connect with target audiences.

Studying Art at CHS South empowers students to explore, experiment, and express themselves - developing creativity that lasts a lifetime.