This flourishing department offers a very varied curriculum with all students studying Art & Design from Upper 3 (Year 7) through to Upper 4 (Year 9) and a large number choosing the subject at both GCSE and A-level.
In Upper 3 – Upper 4 students enjoy a one-hour Art & Design lesson each week, following an exciting range of creative projects where skills are developed in drawing, painting, design and 3D work including clay modelling. We enjoy experimenting with a range of mediums and have seen our students create wonderfully imaginative, creative and very skilful pieces which are grown from initial concept to brilliant completion.
We are fortunate in having very attractive and spacious accommodation which includes: two large main studios, a sculpture room and a kiln room.
To complement their learning in the art studios, students enjoy a number of inspirational trips to help with the demands of their syllabus. Recent outings have included a visit to Exeter Cathedral to study the artwork there, looking in particular at the gargoyles and grotesques, a trip to the V & A for the magnificent Alexander McQueen retrospective and a chance to see the Grayson Perry exhibition (entitled ‘The Vanity of Small Differences’) at the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath.
GCSE
Art & 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. Throughout the course, students are increasingly 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. GCSE students enjoy 5 hours of Art lessons every fortnight.
At the end of each year, we celebrate the fabulous creative achievements of the GCSE students with an end of year Art Exhibition at school to which family and friends are invited.
Please visit the Sixth Form section of our website for more information on A-level Art.
