Art and Design

Department Aims

1. Establish a creative atmosphere in which staff and students can work in a relaxed, imaginative and energetic way.

2. Stimulate visual awareness in pupils by challenging, extending and intensifying their aesthetic experience in nature and in the man made environment. It is hoped that this can be achieved through the unique contribution of the individual. Lessons in Art and Design can then be a channel for every pupil to express her own individual sensibility, sensitivity, intuition, feelings and emotions.

3. Encourage independent study; it is important for teachers to encourage independent study, investigation and extensive research. Pupils are encouraged to use their own initiative.

4. Develop an appreciation of the richness and variety of our culture; the curriculum in Art and Design should develop an appreciation of the diversity of our and other cultures, and of the spiritual and moral dimensions of life.

5. Encourage critical awareness; critical analysis of the work of artists and craftsmen should be taught and encouraged, against the pupils' own work and the art surrounding her.

Lower School (Years 7-9) Pupils engage in art, craft and design in the contemporary world and from different times and cultures. They use a wide range of both traditional and up to the minute media and technology working both in two and three dimensions. They have a double period per week.

Upper School (Years 10 and 11) GCSE Pupils are following the OCR Art and Design Unendorsed syllabus. Both Year 10 & 11 have two double periods per week.

Sixth Form

AS Fine Art Pupils are following the OCR Art and Design Fine Art Syllabus. The girls are taught 4 double periods per week although extra independent studio time is expected.

A2 Fine Art (as above)

AS Graphic Design OCR, Art and Design, Graphic Design Syllabus. The girls are taught 4 double periods a week and are expected to work in the studio for extra time.

A2 Graphic Design (as above)

Extra-curricular

• Art clubs for all year groups are offered at lunchtime.
• Pupils are encouraged to enter competitions including, the 'International Peace Poster' and various other competitions throughout the year.
• Sixth Form can choose for Complementary Studies the 'Stage Craft' course, which runs in the Autumn Term and 'Photography' Course in the Spring Term. Girls may also work in the studios during their study periods and by agreement after school to develop their coursework and portfolios.
• Day trips to art galleries or museums is offered to Years 7-9. The annual Art exhibition displaying both GCSE and A level work is in the Summer Term.