We are fortunate in having very attractive and spacious accommodation which includes: two large main art studios, a large Sixth form Art Studio, a sculpture room, kiln room and two photographic darkrooms.

This flourishing department offers a very varied curriculum from U3 (Year 7) through to the Upper Sixth (Year 13). Students in Key Stage 3 (age 11 onwards) enjoy a double period of Art each week and they benefit from following an exciting range of creative projects where students’ skills are developed in drawing, painting, design work and 3D work including clay work. We are able to fire students’ work in our kiln and have a super range of glazes to complete students’ work to a high standard.

Art and Design at GCSE is a popular option and we follow the OCR Fine Art syllabus which allows students to work with a wide range of media, exploring their own creative ideas within a set framework of projects. Increasingly throughout the course, students are encouraged to gain greater independence in developing their own work with plenty of guidance from their teacher. We are keen to help each girl to develop her own interests and to build on her strengths in the subject.

A Level Art attracts good numbers of students who wish to extend their study of the subject to AS and A2 level and there is an excellent success rate for students gaining places on Art Foundation and Art degree courses. Within the department, specialist teaching of Fine Art and Photography enables students to gain skills and expertise in a broad range of media. The Photography module covers both black and white traditional film and darkroom work and digital work. Digital manipulation techniques using Photoshop are explored leading to the printing of final images. Fine Art is taught in a dedicated Sixth Form Art studio with space for each pupil to work and store their portfolios. The A2 course encourages students to explore and develop their own ideas in greater depth and to develop their skills in using their choice of media.

The achievements of GCSE, AS and A2 students are celebrated in annual exhibitions of their work to which family and friends are invited.

Mrs Z Vingoe, Head of Art and Design