Our Head of Art & Photography is Mr J W Henderson

The Art department has a history of excellent results at both GCSE and A Level, and this comes about through our ethos of giving our students increasing artistic freedom on their journey up the school, whilst at the same time always focussing on developing their skills and understanding.

The department is situated in a beautiful historic building where students have large open studios and classrooms in which to work.

Our aim is to create a safe and inclusive environment where pupils are confident enough to express their ideas and unafraid to take risks with their work as emerging artists.

Part of building that confidence comes from being able to use media in a skilful and accomplished manner and throughout our teaching there is a strong emphasis on practice and mastering the traditional practical skills whilst embracing a wide array of creative approaches.

 

Curriculum 

Lower School

Third Form (Year 7)

Pupils study the foundation skills in detail:

• Colour theory enacted through a range of materials including painting.
• Pattern and design, looking at symmetry within the context of the Arts and Crafts movement and looking at printmaking.
• Observational drawing focusing on the basic skills of describing proportion, detail, colour and tone.

Shell Form (Year 8)

Pupils study drawing, painting and photography:

• Self portrait and the use of grids.
• An introduction to Photoshop
• Core and advanced observational drawing skills, developed through the use of the sighting method.
• Painting using a variety of materials inspired by the cubist movement. Enhanced use of colour theory and pattern are used to complete their compositions.

Fourth Form (Year 9)

This year is a fundamental preparation year for the GCSE course. Pupils explore more experimental drawing techniques working from a wide array of materials and subject matter. In this time pupils are introduced into working with oil paints and study various artists and art movements including Impressionism. Photography is also a key element within the course and pupils are introduced to the foundational elements of how to take good photographs using SLR cameras.

Middle School

OCR GCSE Fine Art

Pupils (Lower and Upper Fifth) follow a two-year linear course comprised of an extended coursework project and an exam unit project. In these they will demonstrate their ability to develop their ideas creatively through to resolved outcomes.

In Lower Fifth pupils have a foundational start to the course which is teacher led before being given a topic title and encouraged to take their projects in their own personal directions, building upon their individual artistic strengths and interests.

From January to May of the final year, pupils produce their exam project based upon a theme set by the exam board with a controlled exam at the end of the course in which they will create their final resolved outcome.

NB: All work for the course and exam is completed before the final exams begin for other subjects.

 

Sixth Form

OCR A level Fine Art leads naturally on from the GCSE and is a two-year course comprising of an extended coursework unit and an exam unit. Before embarking on their personal coursework projects students have a foundation term where they are given tasks and activities which encourage them to take risks, explore new materials and approaches and push their creativity.

OCR A Level Photography is a two-year course which follows the same lines as the Fine Art except photography is the medium by which pupils will express their ideas. Before embarking on their personal coursework projects students have a foundational term where they study the key photographic processes. This includes mastering techniques on their SLR cameras, how to use the Photography studios and lighting, and how to use Adobe Photoshop as an effective tool. Students will also explore traditional darkroom techniques and processes.

Opportunity for creative autonomy within the A Level Fine Art and Photography courses is designed to enable pupils to express their ideas effectively and develop new methods of problem solving. The level of independence also improves their organisation and study practices as well as many other transferable skills that are useful for a wide range of careers and situations.

Trips & Visits

Art and Photography pupils undertake various study trips throughout the year, including visits to major museums and galleries. Regular visiting practitioners enhance Art and Photography students visual and contextual experience.

Destinations

Many of our students go on to study at leading universities and past pupils have been successful in Fine Art, History of Art, Architecture, Product Design, Graphics Design, Computer Modelling and Animation, Games Design, Automotive and Transport Design, Film and Television Production, Illustration, Special Effects Makeup Design, Interior Design, Art Education, Professional and Commercial Photography.

Click here to learn more about Art & Photography in the Sixth Form