Day 2 - Meeting Tom

So day two and Tom is in class. Tom is busy with his assignment but is happy to discuss his project ideas and show his early work. Mrs Simmonds explains how Tom receives special tuition due to his 'learning needs'. Obviously the details of which are private and confidential so lets just say Tom is somewhere on the autism spectrum. But while he lacks some social skills he is obviously keen to make his art talent his future and his keeness is infectious.

Toms time is split as Kingsmead has a sister school in Norton Canes so not all his days are spent here and he's obviously got other A-levels to study towards.  Not to turn down a challenge or an opportunity I agree to the mutual voluntary arrangement on the acceptance by the Headmaster and necessary legal checks. 

1st Day in School

During my first day at Kingsmead I met with Katherine Simmonds, Head of Department for Art&Design and she introduced me to the teachers within the department. The department itself consists of four class rooms of modest size and facilities. There are a few macs in one class which is where Miss Turner teaches running some Adobe CS5 programs including Photoshop and some basic 'animation' related software such as i-stop motion.

While Katherine is aware of a few students having an interest or having produced animated work it is a subject that remains a sideline to the types of art produced at a secondary school such as Kingsmead. While not being in a run down area, Kingsmeads catchment area and facilities can in no way be classed as privileged and changes to Government thinking from the top down appears to result in Art as a subject being undermined by 'core' subjects and the numbers of sixth form students looking at Art appear to be single figures.

Katherine has singled out two or three potential students whom would benefit from spending time with me, assisting their project work. Joanne has an interest in photography and was keen to look at software that could develop this so we sat down with Photoshop and ran over the basic interface while looking at the work she has produced. There was also Tim who has a true fascination with creating lego animation. He has already created detailed storyboard ideas and basic stop-motion animation tests. However his timetable may not coincide with my available days so this leaves me with Tom. Tom wasn't in today so I'll get a second visit to meet him and time to decide if I'm still up to take on this voluntary role for the brief.

It's fair to say I went home with a slight migraine on day one.

Exam Board Criteria

Understanding the Curriculum

As a start point Mrs Simmonds introduced me to the Edexel exam syllabus that gives the teacher the framework to deliver the module as they see fit, within the guidelines laid out in this document. 

A copy of this document was saved for me to take away in order I could get a better understanding of how the syllabus is dictated by the exam board. 

While there is some freedom of the projects and classroom tasks that are set, certain framework must be followed and the marking scheme is key to how this is applied. Luckily Mrs Simmonds has years of experience in working to the Edexel framework and Miss Turner sits on the marking board so again, has a thorough understanding of how best to set weekly tasks to shape their students work from initial ideas through to final submission.  

http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gce/app-gce/art/Pages/default.aspx

Points of Contact

For Reference I've included my contact points at Kingsmead School during the external brief 

Kingsmead School


Kings Avenue 
Hednesford 
Cannock 
Staffordshire
WS12 1DH

Headteacher: Mr I Bryant

Art Department

Mrs K. Simmonds
 Subject Leader – Art 
E: k.simmonds@kingsmead.staffs.sch.uk


T: 01543 512455 
F: 01543 512481
 W: www.kingsmeadonline.net

Miss H. Turner Art Teacher E: h.turner@kingsmead.staffs.sch.uk

T: 01543 512455 
F: 01543 512481
W: www.kingsmeadonline.net

Mrs Katherine Simmonds is my principle contact point and as Subject Leader, heads the Art Department. It was thanks to Katherine I was able to attend the school and got the required clearance to work alongside the students. 

Miss Hannah Turner is my contact point as Tom is within her class during the majority of the sessions I'm onsite. Hannah will monitor the progress of Tom and guide the project making sure we meet Tom's Edexel criteria and ensuring we stay on track. She will also help mark the final submission Tom puts forward for his award. 

External Brief - Kingsmead School

After some initial discussions and meetings it has been agreed for me to attend Kingsmead School, Hednesford, to complete my external brief working on a voluntary basis within the Art Department. I will primarily engage with a student named Tom to aid him in completing  his Double Art Award. Here is a brief description of the Project Brief. 

Project Brief for Unit 4/5

Unit 4 – Working in 2D

Unit 5 – Working in 3D

GCE Applied Year -  Double Award

Overview

This unit will enable you to develop 2D skills through one or more specialist areas of your choice. These specialist areas share many media and techniques in common, but tend to differ in the purposes for which images are used. Specialisms may include Painting and drawing, fine-art printmaking, experimental photography, moving images, mixed media, fashion or textiles. 

You will develop a body of work based on the theme of ‘Groups and Gatherings’. This may be crowds and congregations of people, coming together for purpose.

Artists, designers and craft workers use investigation as part of the creative process in order to help develop their ideas and produce outcomes. This investigative work will inform your ideas. Artists, designers and craft workers can use a wide range of media, materials, tools and equipment to develop and create their work. To help develop your ideas you will need to explore the appropriate 2D mark-making or 3D techniques. You need to develop skills in, and explore the potential and limitations of the media, materials and processes in your chosen area of study.