Art

The teaching is firmly based on the philosophy and belief that art education can offer tremendous stimulation for creative work and thought, and that it can really broaden a pupils understanding of the world and their own individual perceptions. The art & design department is an area where all pupils from the school can be involved in wide ranging creative activities. The studios are available to pupils until 5pm from Monday till Friday.

In lessons up to Year 8, pupils receive a wide spectrum of art experience learning about materials, techniques and approaches. In Year 9, to help them make their GCSE choices, they spend a term on each of the following areas - ceramics, photography and textiles.

At GCSE and A level the teaching within the department is focused very much on the needs and aspirations of individual pupils, playing to strengths, interests and future career intentions.

There are five studio areas covering various subject specialisms. There is a 2D general painting and drawing studio that is connected to the Archway Gallery area which is used for the display of work from both pupils and professional artists. The ceramics room is well equipped and has a separate kiln room with two large modern kilns one electric and the other gas fired. Computer graphics, digital imaging and digital video editing are areas well developed within the department and there is a network of 14 computers running Photoshop and Premiere software. There is also a traditional dark room.

The department offers all the major endorsements at both GCSE and AS/A2 level and recently photography as an option at GCSE has been hugely popular. The U6 A level artists have the privilege of their own studio space to encourage and facilitate sustained and ambitious work. There is also a separate well-equipped textiles studio.

Staff include - three full time teachers, a teacher/technician and a part time teacher. The department is very supportive of other activities within the school and often provides sets for theatrical productions.