Art & Design
The study of Art and Design leads to an understanding of the importance of design in everyday life. Currently, the creative industry in the UK is growing at a significant rate, and the demand for graduates with good specialist art and design skills is enormous.
Our Gifted, Talented and Able students are given the opportunity to attend specialist workshops such as t-shirt printing and skateboard design, work with visiting artists, and are encouraged to enter competitions at a local and national level.
As children develop their skills to GCSE and A-Level, they are well-placed to explore the growing demand for graduates with strong specialist art and design skills in industry and the media.
Lower School
In Years 7 and 8, pupils develop their observational drawing and painting skills and begin to explore 3D sculpture, textiles, and ceramics. Boys are also encouraged to attend Art Club, which runs during Wednesday lunchtimes.
GCSE
The two-year GCSE course is a natural progression from the work undertaken in the first three years. All skills acquired during these years will be refined and candidates will be expected to use them to work from a neutral stimulus, interpreting it in their own individual way.
Students follow a journey which starts with a visit to the Albert Dock and Tate Gallery during the summer break. Work continues in the Art studios initially via observational drawing, developing work in which the boys experience a diverse range of materials and techniques, resulting in each boy producing a calligraphic print, an acrylic or watercolour painting, computer manipulated images and finally a ceramic pot.
A level
Creative and independent thinkers are encouraged to pursue the A Level course, which focuses firmly on the development of personal interests in Art that can be subsequently used to pursue careers in architecture, animation, graphic design, the fashion industry, textiles and advertising. Art also fosters research and analytical skills that complement a broad range of other A Level subjects.
The lively and vibrant Art department boasts excellent resources including a suite of Macs at the heart of the department which enable computer-aided design; facilities exist for collagraphic printing, textiles and there is a kiln to fire ceramics on site. A Level students are encouraged to work in the department in private study periods and at lunchtime, when guidance continues to be offered by members of the department through clinics and Art Club.
Art Students are encouraged to display their work in local exhibitions and national competitions. Their artwork is displayed around the school for us to admire and to inspire our future artists.
