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Art is both a form of communication and a means of expression of ideas and feelings.

It forms a language which complements those of the literary, mathematical, scientific and factually based subjects.

Our pupils have many ideas and Art and Design provide wonderful opportunities for their imagination and creativity. Making Art is liberating, challenging and exciting – it offers the prospect of analysis, experimentation and risk-taking.

In their first year, all pupils study Art and Design for two periods a week. For the two GCSE years, all pupils follow a creative option, of which Art and Design are one. A Level and Extended Project courses provide further specialist opportunities. Some pupils choose to study Art History as part of our Extended Project scheme. The courses provide a foundation, broadening pupils’ understanding of the diverse approaches to and the expressive qualities of the subject and help to develop a historical/critical awareness and artistic vocabulary.

Our teaching covers many skills but the essential aims are to stimulate curiosity, individuality, expressive confidence, independent learning and awareness for culture.

GCSE

Under the general banner of Fine Art the possibilities for personal expression are endless, making it exciting and challenging. Pupils have the opportunity to choose to work across all the disciplines, allowing much scope for individually tailored research and development.

A Level

Work at this level gives pupils a unique opportunity to develop a portfolio of sophisticated and mature artwork. This broad-ranging course provides plenty of opportunities to continue a practically based personal journey of discovery on a personal investigation followed by a response to an externally set brief. Component 1 of the A Level, a personal investigation, carries 60% of the marks, 20% of which is allocated to a written personal study of a minimum 1000 words. Component 2, the externally set assignment, carries 40% of the marks. The Department also offer trips Biannual trips to New York and Venice for Eighth Form students.

Co-curricular

A wide range of activities, talks and events are available outside the curriculum for anyone interested in Art and Design. Pupils take advantage of supervised studio sessions during the long lunch breaks and after school; talks and demonstrations by visiting practitioners; and exhibitions in the Milton Gallery.