Product Design
It is our intention that students will leave their Design Technology education understanding the unique qualities of different materials and processes and be able to exploit these within practical work.
Students will learn to engage, be inspired and challenged, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own design ideas and use workshop time to make these become a reality.
They will learn how to create successful design ideas and models to present their solutions and establish the skills required to manufacture these to a high quality. Theoretical work will be delivered to support their learning. Weighting at both Key Stage 4 and 5 are 50% coursework and 50% examination.
The curriculum is organised into project based work and theoretical content. Key Stage 3 projects are designed to build on the skills required to be successful in both a design and manufacture setting. Key Stage 4 and 5 focus on skills based project and theory work to support the knowledge base needed for the examination at the end of the course. CAD/CAM work is a taught element and students are encouraged to use these facilities within their work.
Students will leave HGSA with enhanced fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem solving skills, lateral thinking, complex analysis and critical thinking skills. These qualities will enable them to pursue careers in any of the design and technology areas of work, such as engineering, creative design, illustration, architecture and many more.
GCSE Hospitality & Catering
It is our intention that students will leave HGSA with a broad understanding of Hospitality and Catering covering both the practical and theoretical elements. They will be educated on important information to prepare them for adult life- such as eating a healthy balanced diet, the importance of exercise. They will have an understanding of the theory behind nutrition and be equipped with the skills to properly prepare food, select appropriate equipment to use and then manage their time effectively to produce the dishes. Students will be taught to work independently yet safely in the kitchen environment. Furthermore, students will learn about different roles within Hospitality and Catering inspiring them for career aspirations.
HGSA will aim to give students the opportunity to use a range of appropriate creative and innovative strategies to develop original menus, dishes and recipes.
The curriculum is organised into theory and practical implementation. Key Stage 3 themes are designed to build skills on kitchen basics such as health and safety, food hygiene, different diets and governmental guidance for healthy eating.
Key Stage 4 revises the core elements learnt during Key Stage 3, however students are expected to independently plan, prepare and present practical dishes which have been carefully researched and planned. Taste, evaluate and refine their ideas and dishes against specified needs, taking into account the views and requirements of the intended consumer (including sensory and dietary analysis). Students will also be able to apply current healthy eating advice, and understanding of people’s needs, to develop diets for different individuals.
Students will leave HGSA with the skills needed to successfully work within the food industry. Key life skills such as independent thinking, research skills, time-management, creativity and teamwork will be learnt throughout the course.
These qualities will enable them to pursue careers in the vast Hospitality and Catering industry such as Chefs, Bakers or Pastry Artists, Restaurant Managers, Hospitality Managers or Food Scientists/ Nutritionists to name a few.
Art & Design
Art is a diverse range of activities creating visual ideas.
It is our intention that students will leave their art education understanding the unique qualities of different materials and processes and being able to exploit these within practical work.
Students will learn to engage, be inspired and challenged, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design.
They will learn how to question visual language and support opinions with examples using artistic terminology and vocabulary. They will gain an understanding of the main Art theories making connections between art movements and historical/cultural events.
The curriculum is organised into project based work that is both critical and contextual at its core. Artists, craftspeople and designers are used to underpin practical tasks to support, develop and allow students to question, investigate ideas through visual language, explore techniques, materials and ideas and to develop the ability to draw.
Students will leave HGSA with enhanced fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, problem solving skills, lateral thinking, complex analysis and critical thinking skills.These qualities will enable them to pursue careers in any of the diverse creative arts sectors such as work in publishing or advertising as a graphic designer or photographer. Art related jobs in TV, film or theatre including set designer, costume designer or make-up artist.
GCSE Art & Design
Students study the OCR GCSE Art and Design course. It provides students with a wide range of creative, exciting and stimulating opportunities to explore their interests and to learn artistic skills and techniques to communicate their ideas and interests. This two-unit specification enables students to develop their ability to actively engage in the processes of Art and Design – to build creative skills through learning and doing, to develop imaginative and intuitive ways of working and develop knowledge and understanding of media, materials and technologies in historical and contemporary contexts, societies and cultures.
Assessments for the GCSE course are completed through two units:
• Unit 1: Portfolio of work (Controlled Assessment), which makes up 60% of the course.
• Unit 1: Students create one sketchbook and a final piece
The initial part of this course focuses on teaching students’ techniques and skills, the students will learn to control and explore new media, starting with dry media i.e. pencil, charcoal, pen, monoprinting and lino printing. Students will then have the opportunity to take the techniques they have learned to explore their own interest and strengths. At this point in the course the students are encouraged to think creatively and independently to pursue Art in ways which mean they produce their best work.
• Unit 2: Externally set task, which makes up the remaining 40% of the course.
• Unit 2: Students create one sketchbook and a final piece
The second unit of the course begins in January of Y11. Students will be given an exam paper with several different starting points. Students have the opportunity to pick any one of the exam titles. This second part of the course further relies on the student’s ability to think creatively and work independently; students work in the same way as Y10 by exploring, developing, researching and presenting. This part of the course runs until May when students will sit a 10 hour long sustained examination which be broken up over a minimum of two days.
Photography
GCSE Photography
Students study the OCR Photography GCSE course. This is an exciting, diverse and creative course which explores a range of photographers and photography techniques. Students do not need a specialist camera as we can loan students one to borrow whilst on the course. In Y10, students develop skills using a DSLR camera, studio lighting equipment and Adobe Photoshop. They will also explore composition, depth of field, shutter speed and viewpoint through studying the work of other photographers and taking their own images.
After skills development work, students will develop research and analysis skills by looking at the work of different photographers. They will then develop their ideas to take their own photos on a trip to the local graveyard. Students will learn how to select from these images and explore and experiment with their photos using Photoshop techniques.
Unit 1- Coursework Project (60%)
The main coursework project is a personal investigation into the theme of their choice. Students produce work that is influenced by photographers / photography movements or cultures. They research and analyse the work of their chosen photographers and then continually develop skills with cameras, lighting and Photoshop, as well post production manipulation techniques.
Unit 2 – Externally Set Task (40%)
This is an externally set assignment including an exam lasting 10 hours. Students will have from the start of January to research one of around 10 topics before the 10 hour long exam based on their research.
Hair & Beauty
At KS4 we use the hair and beauty sector as a vehicle to develop learners more broadly, so they are sufficiently prepared and equipped with the knowledge, understanding and skills to pursue a career within the hair and beauty industry. It explores the many different career paths available within the hair and beauty sector.
At KS5 students will train to achieve a specialist vocational qualifications that will enable them to gain employment working in the beauty and spa industry. They will learn industry techniques and train using professional products, and are encouraged to work creatively, professionally and confidently on real clients in the school salon, to prepare them fully for the industry and its demands.
Students will learn about the subject within a real salon, therefore making them aware of the demands of a real working salon environment. Sessions are run using as much practical work as possible in order to develop creativity and practical techniques early on in KS4.
KS5 involves specialist training that is preparing them for employment within the industry, so they leave qualified, and ready for the world of work.
Should students study in the salon at KS5, they will leave HGSA with an NVQ level 2 and 3. During this time they will build upon the technical skills and confidence of working in the school commercial salon, ensuring that they have the skills, confidence and qualifications to then successfully enter the hairdressing and beauty industry.
Beauty therapy qualifications can lead to employment as a beauty therapist, spa therapist, nail technician, make-up artist, as well as working abroad or on a cruise liner. Some students might seek employment as a product trainer, in retail, or working self-employed.