Year 8 Art

What students learn this year:

In Year 8 Art & Design, students build on the skills and knowledge developed in Year 7 through a curriculum focused on global cultures and visual storytelling. Pupils explore how artists use line, tone, colour, pattern, texture, and form to communicate narratives, beliefs, and identity across different cultures. Through drawing, printmaking, illustration, collage, and 3D work, students develop increasing independence, confidence, and personal intent.

Term overview:

Term / Half-term	Main topics / units	Key knowledge & skills
Autumn 1	Africa & the Diaspora	Expressive mark-making, line, cultural context, drawing from artefacts, pattern
Autumn 2	Africa & the Diaspora: Storytelling	Tone, collage, printmaking, portraiture, narrative through pattern and symbolism
Spring 1	East Asia: Myths to Manga	Ink drawing, observation, simplification, myth and folklore
Spring 2	East Asia: Myths to Manga	Character / scene design, colour, illustration, narrative sequencing
Summer 1	South America: Spirituality & Worship	Texture, relief, surface, symbolism, material exploration
Summer 2	South America: Spirituality & Worship	Form, sculpture, 3D construction, symbolic objects and meaning

How learning and progress are checked

Lessons combine teacher modelling, practical making, discussion, and reflection. Knowledge and skills are revisited and extended through a spiral curriculum, allowing students to refine techniques, deepen understanding, and apply learning in increasingly complex and independent ways.

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, develop ideas in their sketchbooks, and engage with art and visual culture through galleries, museums, books, and digital platforms. Looking at artists from different cultures helps students build understanding and inspiration. 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, materials, and homework
Promote a positive attitude towards experimentation and improvement
Encourage engagement with global art, culture, and storytelling through galleries and online 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.