Chesterhouse International School
Integrated syllabus for
Grade 8 and 9
ART
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BASIC OVERVIEW OF THE COURSE
This is a practical-based course designed to stimulate personal enrichment and enjoyment through artistic
exploration and conceptual thinking. Pupils are expected to develop their style throughout the course, as well
as learn and implement certain skills and processes.
Candidates should be encouraged to work from direct observation and to explore the use of tone, colour and
composition, materials and context. This can be shown through the use of processes and use of media such
as charcoal, pencil, pastels, acrylic, water colour, oil and inks.
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COURSE OUTLINE
In Grade 8, pupils are exposed to a number of art terms and cover the Elements and Principles of Art in depth.
They do a number of painting and drawing projects designed to teach them how to paint and draw as well as
improve their skills. The syllabus contains both practical and theoretical work, which is examined twice a year.
In Grade 9, they have the option of choosing between Art, Drama and Music. They choose 2 subjects – one in
each category
CATEGORY 1
IGCSE ART
BASIC DRAMA
GENERAL MUSIC KNOWLEDGE (GMK)
CATEGORY 2
BASIC ART
IGCSE DRAMA
GENERAL MUSIC KNOWLEDGE (GMK)
After having learnt the theory in Grade 8, the pupils now apply the Elements and Principles of Art in a number
of practical projects. They also do a number of drawing and painting lessons. They are exposed to different
artists and practise painting in their styles. They become proficient in a variety of mediums and techniques and
start to work with individual themes of their own choice in preparation for the IGCSE course. Their work is
mainly practical-based, which allows them to experiment freely and later branch into individual thematic
projects in Grade 10, should they continue on at IGCSE level.
They practise working on a larger scale (A2) and undergo much longer examination hours in preparation for
IGCSE. Their June examination is a 5 hour practical still life painting and their November examination is a full
8 hour (2 day) practical where they create an A2 painting from scratch.
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SYLLABUS AIMS
This course ensures that pupils:
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experiment with a range of media, materials and techniques confidently and successfully
record from direct observation and personal experience
have an understanding of, and an appreciation for, various local and international artists
understand, and make use of, the technical terms used in both practical and theory
develop an imaginative, creative and personal response to a stimulus
identify and solve problems in both visual and tactile forms
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develop ideas from initial attempts to final solutions
investigate and research a variety of primary and secondary sources
continually challenge and develop new concepts and thought processes
respond individually and creatively to a variety of themes
be culturally and politically aware
communicate openly and honestly and respond to works both positively and critically

SYLLABUS OBJECTIVES
Students are marked according to Cambridge’s IGCSE Assessment Objectives. These Assessment
Objectives are divided into 5 main areas:
AO1 GATHERING, RECORDING, RESEARCH & INVESTIGATION
(a) Investigate and research a variety of appropriate sources
(b) Record and analyse information from direct observation and personal experience
AO2 EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF IDEAS
(a) Explore range of visual and/or other ideas by manipulating images
(b) Show a development of ideas through appropriate processes
AO3
ORGANISATION AND RELATIONSHIPS OF VISUAL FORMS
(a) Organise and manipulate visual and/or other forms effectively to express ideas
(b) Make informed aesthetic judgements
AO4 SELECTION & CONTROL OF MATERIALS, MEDIA & PROCESSES
(a) Show exploration and experimentation with appropriate materials
(b) Select and control appropriate media and processes
AO5
PERSONAL VISION AND PRESENTATION
(a) Personal vision and commitment through an interpretative/creative response
(b) Present informed response through personal evaluation, reflection & critical thinkin
 ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
PASS REQUIREMENTS:
All junior grades have to pass both the mid-year and end-year practical and theoretical exam papers. A final
mark of 40% is required. In addition, those Grade 9 pupils who wish to choose Art as an IGCSE subject will do
an additional entrance test. This could take the form of a still life drawing / a painting etc. Pupils who score
below a C aggregate are advised not to continue with this subject, as it is an intensive course and requires a
great deal of talent and effort to succeed.
Students are marked according to Cambridge’s IGCSE Assessment Objectives. These are described above.
Grade descriptions:
Grade A (80-100 marks)
The candidate has demonstrated expertise in:
• expressing quality of form, line, shape and structure skillfully and with sensitivity;
• understanding clearly space and spatial relationships;
• showing mastery of techniques and materials;
• understanding surface qualities and the use of colour and tone;
• investigating original and secondary sources;
• providing elegant solutions.
Grade B (70-79 marks)
The candidate has demonstrated proficiency in:
• expressing quality of form, line, shape and structure, with some sensitivity;
• understanding space and spatial relationships;
• showing a pleasing use of techniques and materials;
• understanding surface qualities and the use of colour and tone;
• communicating a sensitive and individual personal response;
• investigating in some depth original and secondary sources;
• providing well thought out solutions.
Grade C (60-69 marks)
The candidate has demonstrated some competence in:
• expressing form, line, shape, colour and tone;
• understanding space and spatial relationships;
• showing some grasp of techniques and materials;
• making use of secondary sources;
• communicating a response and providing satisfactory solutions.
Grade D (50-59 marks)
The candidate has demonstrated basic awareness in:
• understanding of space, colour and tone;
• communicating a response;
• consulting some secondary sources;
• providing a solution.
Grade E (40 - 49 marks)
The candidate has shown:
• a limited use of colour and some form
• a basic response;
• minimal use of secondary sources;
Please find the Grade 8 and 9 Year Plans on the next page
GRADE 8 ART YEAR PLAN 2012
TERM
DESCRIPTION & FOCUS AREAS
ELEMENTS *
1
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2
Theory: worksheets for each element
Practical: Exercises pertaining to
each element as an introduction to
drawing
TECHNIQUES
OUTCOMES & OBJECTIVES **
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3
Theory: worksheets on various
drawing and painting techniques
Practical: Creating a book of
techniques & mediums using a still life
object as a reference
Preparing for a theoretical exam with
a practical element
COPY A MASTER GRID PROJECT *
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Theory: Basic art theory / genres and
jargon.
Researching one artist in depth
Practical: Copying a section of a
master’s work and putting it together
to make a huge painting
DIGITAL ARTWORK &PRESENTATION
4
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Theory: create a power point
presentation on a chosen artist
Learn how to use GIMP
Practical: create a digital painting
using the researched artist’s style
using GIMP and art theory.
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Identifying the elements.(AO3)
Identify and solve problems in visual and
tactile form. (AO3)
Making use drawing media, techniques and
processes. (AO2)
Visually illustrate and make use of the
elements in a piece of work.(AO3 / AO4)
Experimenting with a range of media,
techniques and processes. (AO2)
Understand and make use of technical terms
in practical and theory. (AO3)
Painting and drawing from direct observation
(AO1)
Researching primary and secondary sources
and preliminary sketching (AO1)
Understand and make use of technical terms
in practical and theory.(AO3)
Being informed by various artists and being
culturally aware (AO5)
Analyse and interpret an artwork.(AO3)
Responding to artworks positively and
critically (AO5)
Develop an imaginative, creative response to
a stimulus. (AO1)
Explore a range of visual ideas by
manipulating images. (AO2)
Experiment with a range of media and tools.
(AO4)
Present an informed response through
evaluation, reflection and critical
thinking.(AO5)
GRADE 9 ART YEAR PLAN 2012
TERM
DESCRIPTION & FOCUS AREAS
ELEMENTS AND DRAWING SKILLS *
1
OUTCOMES & OBJECTIVES **
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Theory: worksheets for each
element with detailed additional
drawing notes
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Practical: Exercises pertaining to
each element
Doing a detailed drawing course
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Experimenting with a range of material and
techniques. (AO2)
Researching primary and secondary sources
and preliminary sketching (AO1)
Identify and solve problems in visual and
tactile form. (AO3)
Drawing from direct observation (AO1)
Visually illustrate and make use of the
elements in a piece of work.(AO3 / AO4)
Refining right brain drawing skills
Mixed media drawing combining
elements
2
COLOUR THEORY AND PAINTING
SKILLS
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Theory: worksheets on colour and
painting techniques
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Practical: Various colour and
painting exercises
Preparing for a 5 hour still life
Experimenting with a range of media,
techniques and processes. (AO2)
Understand and make use of technical terms
in practical and theory. (AO3)
Identifying and making use of the elements
in an art work. (AO3)
Painting from direct observation (AO1)
Developing ideas from initial attempts to final
solutions (AO4)
practical exam
3
ARTIST THEORY AND COPYING *
STYLES
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Theory: Learning about artists’ styles
and techniques.
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Understand and make use of technical terms
in practical and theory.(AO3)
Developing a unique and personal style and
manipulating sources (AO2/ AO5)
Being informed by various artists and being
culturally aware (AO5)
Have an understanding of & appreciation for
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Researching 5 artists in depth
Distinguishing between themes,
content, elements and style.
Practical: Copying a master’s work,
adding an individual twist
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4
THEMATIC PROJECTS
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(IGCSE INTRO)
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Practical: Choosing an ‘IGCSE’
theme for the term
Building up a visual diary
Begin working on individual themed
paintings / drawings
Putting the techniques learnt earlier
in the year into practice.
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international / SA artists. (AO1)
Explore a range of visual ideas by
manipulating images. (AO2)
Understand and make use of technical terms
in practical and theory. (AO3)
Develop an imaginative, creative and
personal response to a stimulus. (AO5)
Analyse and interpret an artwork.(AO3)
Responding to artworks positively and
critically (AO5)
Developing a unique and personal style and
manipulating sources (AO2/ AO5)
Continually developing new concepts and
thought processes (AO5)
Experiment with a range of material and
techniques. (AO2)
Show personal vision and commitment
through an interpretative and creative
response (AO5)
Refining painting and drawing skills and
solving aesthetic problems
(AO2 / AO3 / AO4)
Developing an informed, creative and
personal response to a stimulus and
translating those ideas into a successful, final
solution (ALL OUTCOMES)
* In some instances, both Grade 8 and 9 have similar projects as we are in the process of moving the syllabus
back so that more IGCSE-based work can be undertaken in Grade 9.
** We use the same 5 IGCSE Outcomes for Gr 8 & 9