Art embodies some of the highest forms of human creativity. The Art curriculum seeks to engage, inspire and challenge students, equipping them with the knowledge and ability to experiment, invent and create their own works of art.

Students learn how art reflects and shapes our history and contributes to the culture, creativity and wealth of our world.

Students of all ages in the school are introduced to artists, past and present, and make links in their own work to the best that the world has produced.

The sixth form Photography curriculum teaches students to record, document and present examples of everyday life in ordinary and, sometimes, extraordinary circumstances. We see the subject as a vehicle for artistic expression allowing students to communicate personal ideas about the world around them. The increasing affordability of lens-based technology allows our students to use photography with ever greater variety and precision in their create works.

Years 7-9 Content

In Year 7, students focus on objective drawing and observation, with projects on portraits, still life and adorning and embellishing.

In Year 8, students focus on artists and how they develop ideas and concepts, with projects on surrealism, urban environment and cubism.

In Year 9, students focus on conceptual self-expression and independent working, with projects on beginnings and endings, structures and a hand-made book.

Years 10-11 Content

In Year 10, the emphasis is on critical thinking about artists, experimentation with media, objective drawing and developing personal concepts, with projects on still life, sculpture and portraits.

In Year 11, the emphasis is on independently working on personal ideas, as well as exploring techniques and processes, as part of preparation for the externally-set assignment.

Sixth Form

In Art in Year 12, the emphasis is on independence and open-minded risk-taking. Students follow an Art Foundation approach experimenting with their own techniques and processes, with projects such as change and life drawing.

In Art in Year 13, the emphasis is on personal investigation and independent enquiry, as part of the preparation for the externally-set assignment.

The sixth form Photography curriculum comprises the personal investigation to develop a portfolio of practical work, and the externally-set assignment which allows students to draw together all their knowledge and understanding to produce a final outcome.

Extra-curricular opportunities

Art club, gallery visits and sixth form immersion talks