Art

The ethos of releasing and realising creative ideas and potential is further developed within the framework of the assessment objectives of the GCSE examinations. Pupils will continue to explore a wide range of media, responding to a number of freely interpreted themes. Recent themes have been Texture, Light and Shade, and Music; next year’s UVth will explore The Seaside.

The pupils are encouraged to think and work independently within each theme, and they are taught relevant art history, and how to analyse it and make use of it to inform their own practice. Workbooks play a major part of this process and are vital tools to help pupils to document their thoughts, ideas and conclusions.

Pupils are encouraged to spend extra time on their coursework projects, and to this end two activity slots per week per year group are allocated to them, though they may use the studios whenever they wish.

The GCSE is a fun, informative, highly creative, personal course where pupils achieve high standards and, most importantly, feel proud of their achievements. They will make a number of visits to sites or galleries during the course to further broaden their experiences. There is a themed, timed, taught examination set by the board. A selection of the best GCSE work is exhibited on Speech Day.

The AS is an exciting course that is a natural progression from GCSE. Pupils can work in any medium they choose, and are encouraged to develop their own pathways and patterns of thinking in response to given themes. This year the theme is ‘Juggling with Form’, inspired by Picasso’s paintings of the 20s and 30s. Last year the theme was ‘Flight’, and we began by making sculptures of Leonardo’s flying machines. Life drawing is introduced for one prep per week and, as well as being a foundation drawing skill, this demanding activity is frequently integrated into the coursework theme.

Gallery and drawing days are organised where appropriate.

Art historical research and referencing is integral to the course, and workbooks are kept as a record of each candidate’s personal creative journey.

There is a themed, timed, taught examination in addition to the coursework set by the board.

There is an exhibition of AS work on Speech Day.

This is the culmination of a pupil’s time in the Art School, and is the real opportunity for freedom of creative thought. A broad theme is suggested, life drawing continues for the Michaelmas term at least, and pupils are encouraged to develop their own themes, either specialising in mainly one medium or working across a wider range.

The Board requires that a contextual study must inform part of coursework, and this takes the form of a 3000-word illustrated essay, or practical work with a 1000-word critique.

The emphasis is firmly on all pupils guiding their own direction, whether that be traditional, figurative, abstract or conceptual. Pupils will tend to have one member of staff as a mentor, but are also encouraged to think widely about their practice. As in AS, workbooks and art history are vital links to creativity.

Gallery, drawing and information-gathering trips are made in groups or individually as appropriate. Those wishing to go on to study Art and Design at university are prepared, and the Department has an excellent reputation for getting pupils into their first choice institution.

The Department offers specific studios for each discipline. This will continue when we move to our new faculty buildings, where space will be much increased and the Design School workshops will be made available to the Art Department.

2008

GCSE – A* 11, A 20, B 16, C 5
AS – A 19 B 6
A2 – A 7, B 6, C 2

Three candidates achieved 100%, and were among only 10 out of over 30,000 to do so.

(Link to Exam Results Tables)

Recent trips have been made to Tate Modern and Tate Britain, Kew Gardens and the Coast.