The third NC bullet for KS3 Art and Design: “evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design.”

The critical-and-reflective strand of KS3 Creative Arts. Building the language to talk about creative work — both other people’s and one’s own. Composition, colour, line, form, texture, scale. Recognising intentions and effects. Speaking and writing about art with precision.

For NEO’s cohort, this strand is also where the learner’s own voice about creative work develops. The pedagogy honours that — opinions don’t have to be sophisticated to be valid, and the language of art is a tool for noticing, not a barrier to entry.

NC outcomes (paraphrased)

Pupils should be taught to:

  • Evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft, and design
  • Discuss their own work and the work of others
  • Use subject vocabulary accurately (composition, colour, line, form, texture, scale, perspective)
  • Notice and describe choices the maker has made
  • Identify effects on the viewer and consider how those effects are achieved

Forward to KS4

Direct precursor to:

The KS3 work of building a vocabulary for creative analysis transitions into AO3 (Recording) and AO1 (Investigating with critical understanding of sources) at KS4 IGCSE / GCSE Art and Design.

Cross-curriculum

Suggested evidence types

  • Annotated artwork — own or another’s, with vocabulary used purposefully
  • Spoken or written critique of a piece
  • Comparison of two works (own or others’) addressing a single question

Mastery descriptors

  • developing — describes simple features with vocabulary support
  • secure — uses subject vocabulary purposefully; identifies maker’s choices and effects
  • mastering — fluent analytical writing and speech; integrates evaluation into a personal response