Key Stages 3 (KS3) and 4 (KS4) covers secondary education. KS3 covers Years 7 to 9 and KS4 covers Years 10 and up to GCSE examination in Year 11.
Teaching for KS3 is guided by the National Curriculum. In 2008 changes were made to Key Stage Three to link subjects up in cross-curricular activities and encourage a variety of teaching methods in order to develop different skills in the students. Portraiture can easily link a variety of disciplines such as Art and Design, History, Geography, and Citizenship as well as English Literature with portraits of writers for example.

 

Students take GCSE options in Year 9 and the two main subjects related to portraiture, History and Art and Design, are not compulsory in Years 10 and 11. Different examination boards guide KS4 syllabuses for these subjects.

 

It is very difficult for schools to visit museums and galleries at secondary level. This partly due to the difficulty of taking time away from other subjects, getting enough adults to meet the Health and Safety requirements on a trip out, and lack of funds.

 

However, museums and galleries are suited for the new theme based and cross-curricular feel of the new guidelines for Key Stage 3. Portraiture is an area of study for History and Art and Design GCSE, as well as for Citizenship.

 

 

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