Art & Design
At Red Balloon, art lessons are a cornerstone of all students’ experience, it is an opportunity to include your own interests in your work, while also learning about lots of different artists, designers and craftspeople old and new. There is a focus on developing technical skills alongside using art as a therapeutic activity that helps students relax and express themselves.
The creative arts ignite innovation and imagination, fostering lifelong skills that
enhance a student’s perception, understanding, productivity, and wellbeing.
However, recent funding cuts, accountability measures, and the impact of the
global pandemic have made arts subjects more vulnerable, risking further
neglect in education as the emphasis shifts to core subjects and catching up.
The benefits of art for improving wellbeing have been increasingly studied and
advocated for in recent years – from relieving anxiety and stress to improving
resilience. Arts lessons are also useful for developing effective communication
skills. Arts, culture, and creativity play a crucial role in helping children and
young people discover and express their voices. Another aspect of the arts for
wellbeing is a sense of achievement. For pupils who struggle with core
academic subjects, indulging in more creative pursuits can provide a much
needed boost!
The creative arts—music, drama, art, design, and dance—unite students from
diverse backgrounds, helping them express themselves and gain a deeper
understanding of their identity and place in the world. These disciplines
provide countless invaluable benefits to students, the community, and
educators alike.
At Red Balloon, we provide art lessons to encourage students to be creative,
have fun, and express their true selves. Offering a refreshing break from the
pressures of core academic studies, enhancing student wellbeing and,
consequently, improving overall performance.
Lesson Plans
Further Information
The Arts Awards
Through the arts awards, students have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and other communication skills useful to future careers while tailoring the project to their own interests.
Bronze award takes one year to complete, and silver award takes two years.
If students are interested in taking Art GCSE, this will be decided and prepared for in year 9, instead of the Silver award.
The main pathway for students is:
Year 7-8: develop skills and knowledge in art culture and skills including industry knowledge and some leadership and cooperative skills
Year 9: Bronze award
Year 10 and 11: 2-year silver award course or GCSE art and design
Bronze Arts Award
Bronze Arts Award is open to anyone aged 11 to 25. It’s a Level 1 qualification on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF)
Bronze Arts Award develops young people’s artistic abilities alongside their research and communication skills.
This level involves them in the arts as creators and audience members, and encourages them to take their first steps towards leadership by sharing their learning with others.
Silver Arts Award
Silver Arts Award is designed for ages 14 to 16 and is open to anyone aged 11 to 25. It’s a Level 2 qualification on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF)
Silver Arts Award gives young people the chance to take on an artistic challenge and a leadership role too. As well as being about creativity, it’s about becoming a reviewer, researcher and project manager. Participants build a broad range of transferable skills as they complete their portfolio and gain a Level 2 qualification.
GCSE Art & Design (Exam board: Pearson)
Art and Design gives students the skills to enjoy, produce and engage with the visual arts throughout their lives, and it has immense value as a GCSE subject.
GCSE Art and Design provides the opportunity for students to:
● explore both contemporary and historical sources of art, craft and design.
● take an individual approach to their art, craft and design making.
● develop the skill of selecting their best and most appropriate work for presentation.
Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
Y10 | Introduction workshops to fundamentals in art, culture and design. Students will be introduced to a range of techniques and media. | First major project: Students will be given a theme to start their first project, exploring the work of artists that will influence their exploration and final outcome. | Second major project: Students will have more freedom on choice of theme and their final outcome will be created as a mock final piece, created in a 5 hour unaided practical under exam conditions. |
Y11 | Refinement Students have time to refine their coursework projects’ presentation and clarify their creative journey. | Exam project The final project is chosen by the exam board and students have around 9 weeks to explore the theme, preparing to complete their final outcome as 10 hours of unaided practice. | Marking All coursework is submitted for marking and moderation. |
