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Graphic Communication

Introduction to Department:

At Bishop Wordsworth’s School, the Art and Design Department inspires creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking. From Year 7, pupils explore techniques across printmaking, digital art, ceramics, photography, and 3D design through ambitious projects. At GCSE, Fine Art and Graphic Communication build skills in drawing, painting, design, branding, and digital media, supported by specialist facilities and the Adobe suite. A Level courses in Art, Graphic Communication and Photography develop independent investigation, experimentation, and original work. Learning is enriched through gallery visits, workshops, and exhibitions, preparing pupils with confidence, cultural understanding, and the skills to progress to higher education or careers in the creative industries.

At BWS, pupils are given a broad Art and Design education, including Fine Art, Graphic Communication, Textile Design, Three-Dimensional Design, Photography, and Art, Craft and Design. Skills and creativity are developed to allow progression to GCSE and A Level courses.
Pupils are encouraged to think critically, explore ideas independently, and reflect on a wide range of themes. Learning is enriched through visits to galleries, the coast, and London, inspiring work in a wider artistic context.

Assessment is formative and summative and those identified as requiring additional support are invited to lunchtime and after-school sessions. Pupils benefit from specialist staff, technical support, a print studio, kiln, and the full Adobe suite.

Extra and Super-curricular:

Learning is enriched through gallery visits both locally and in London, workshops, exhibitions, and competitions, fostering cultural understanding, inspiration, and professional presentation skills. Recent visits have included The Tate, The Design Museum, The London Illustration Fair, Cartlidge Levine Studio, The Portrait Gallery, The National Gallery, and the V&A Museum. Pupils take part in school and national competitions, including the Rotary

 Young Artist Competition and the Royal Academy of Arts Young Artists’ competition, and exhibit work in the local community and at galleries such as Gallery 21. Pupils can also extend their practice beyond lessons, display work within school, and support younger students.

Results & Achievements:

Pupils consistently achieve strong results at GCSE and A Level and frequently progress to study at leading art and design universities.

Learning by Key Stage

KS3

In KS3, pupils work in the art studio, computer suite, and occasionally off-site, developing technical skills, creativity, and critical thinking. Preparing them for the confidence, cultural understanding, and the skills to progress to GCSE or A Level if they wish.
 

Years 7 and 8 study Art and Design for the entire year (Please see Art Design page on the website for more information). Linked here.


Graphic Communication in Year 9 develops creativity, technical skills, and confidence in digital design through a series of themed projects. Pupils work primarily in the ICT suite using Adobe Creative Cloud software, including Photoshop, Illustrator, Lightroom, and InDesign. Projects introduce pupils to digital image creation, editing, and branding while developing independent design skills. Projects include:
 

  • Festival Project – The Festival project introduces pupils to Adobe Photoshop and the key tools and layers used in digital design. Pupils explore the work of contemporary digital artists such as Vault49 and Justin Maller, before creating their own festival brief.
  • Digital Editing Project – Digital Editing and Photography develops image editing and digital manipulation skills through a series of focused tasks linked to the assessment objectives. Pupils explore the techniques of around 10 digital artists, these will change year on year, recent artists have included Magdiel Lopez and Shepard Fairey.
  • Packaging Project – The Packaging and Branding project, introduces Adobe Illustrator and builds on Photoshop skills through a design brief. Pupils research illustrators and graphic designers of their choice, analyse existing packaging, and plan their own photoshoots.

This course prepares pupils for Graphic Communication GCSE, developing the digital, creative, and analytical skills needed for further study in graphic design and related creative subjects.

 

KS4

AQA: Graphic Communication GCSE

Graphic Communication GCSE at BWS develops creativity, practical skills, and critical thinking through visual communication. Pupils respond independently to themes and ideas, exploring typography, illustration, branding, advertising, photography, printmaking, and digital media. Investigations are recorded in sketchbooks and digital formats, supported by artist research, gallery visits, and a coastal trip to inspire and inform work.

The course is assessed through two components: Component 1 – Portfolio (60%), including projects such as ‘Magazine’ and ‘Coast’, and Component 2 – Externally Set Assignment (40%), culminating in a practical exam. Pupils develop, refine, and present creative ideas using a broad range of techniques and media, including industry-standard Adobe Creative Suite software.
 

Graphic Communication GCSE provides a strong foundation for A Level and further study in the creative industries.

More information: AQA Art and Design
 

KS5

AQA: Graphic Communication A Level

The A Level Graphic Communication course at BWS develops creativity, technical skills, and critical thinking through visual communication. Pupils respond independently to themes, recording research, experiments, and reflections in sketchbooks and digital formats. Initial projects, such as Branding and Advertising, introduce typography, layout, illustration, photography, and digital design using Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, before pupils pursue their own personal investigations.

Assessment includes a Portfolio (60%), supported by a written investigation (1000–3000 words), and an Externally Set Assignment (40%), evaluated against four AQA objectives: developing ideas, refining work, recording observations, and presenting personal, meaningful responses.

Learning supports the development of professional design skills and portfolio work, encouraging pupils to experiment with a range of media including digital design, printmaking, illustration, and photography. The course provides a strong foundation for further study or careers in graphic design, advertising, architecture, marketing, web design, or related creative industries.

More information can be found here.

Staff

Head of Department: Samantha Lawrence sjl@bws-school.org.uk

Teachers of Art, Graphic Communication and Photography:

Art Technicians:

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