Year 7 Art

What students learn this year:

In Year 7 Art & Design, students are introduced to the foundations of creative practice through the exploration of the formal elements. Pupils investigate the building blocks of art through drawing, painting, printmaking, and mixed media. They explore themes such as natural form, identity, and storytelling while developing confidence with materials and visual language. Throughout the year, students build skills in observation, experimentation, and refinement, learning to develop and communicate ideas through their sketchbooks and final outcomes.

Term overview:

Term/ Half Term	Main Topics/ Units	Key Knowledge
Autumn 1	Insects & Natural Form	Drawing from observation, line, mark-making, texture, artist reference
Autumn 2	Insects & Natural Form	Tone, depth and form, printmaking processes, refining outcomes
Spring 1	Who Am I?	Colour theory, painting techniques, shape and form, identity and culture
Spring 2	Who Am I?	Portrait proportions, simplification, composition, personal response
Summer 1	Small World Storytelling	Texture, form and space, material exploration, narrative ideas
Summer 2	Small World Storytelling	Composition, collaboration, 3D and mixed media outcomes, evaluation

How learning and progress are checked

Lessons combine teacher modelling, practical making, discussion, and regular opportunities for reflection. Key skills and concepts are revisited over time through a spiral curriculum. This allows students to build confidence, independence and sustained progress.

Assessment in this year group:

Type of assessment	Approx. frequency / when	What it is used for
Sketchbook & classwork review	Ongoing	To assess skill development, idea generation, and understanding of techniques
Midpoint practical tasks	Once per half-term	To check progress and provide targeted feedback
End-of-project outcomes	Each half-term	To assess application of skills, creativity, and refinement
End-of-year assessment	Summer term	To provide an overview of progress across the year culminating in an end of year exhibition of work.

Homework and Independent study

How often is homework set?

Homework is set purposefully to support learning in class.

Typical length per task:

Around 30 minutes.

Suggested independent study:

Students are encouraged to practice drawing regularly, review sketchbook work, and engage with art and design through galleries, exhibitions both in person and online. Looking at artists’ work and visual culture helps students develop ideas and confidence. Pupils are encouraged to visit a range of websites including tate.org, artnet.com, thisiscolossal.com and artsy.com

How parents and carers can support:

Encourage regular drawing or creative practice at home
Support organisation of sketchbooks, equipment, and homework
Promote a positive attitude towards effort, experimentation, and improvement
Encourage engagement with the arts through gallery visits and digital platforms
Support independence and resilience when work feels challenging

Support, stretch and enrichment:

Support for students who need extra help

Teaching is inclusive and carefully structured, with clear demonstrations, differentiated tasks, and additional guidance where needed. Scaffolded resources and targeted support help all students access learning and make progress.

Stretch & challenge:

More confident students are encouraged to take creative risks, work with greater independence, and develop personal ideas through extended experimentation and refinement.

Clubs / trips / extra opportunities

Pupils are welcome to use the Art department’s open studio provision on most days after school, giving them time and space to explore materials, develop ideas, or complete work in a supported environment. Art Club, student showcases, an end-of-year exhibition and the introduction of Art Ambassadors offer further opportunities to celebrate creativity, build confidence, and take on leadership roles within the department.