Visual Arts

The Art and Design Department has the reputation as a centre of excellence. There are nine full-time members of staff and a full-time technician and ICT expert. All Year Nine students do two hours each week. Thereafter a large number of students opt for Art & Design as an exam subject.

There are over 200 students following GCSE courses, including painting and drawing, ceramics, graphic design, photography and textiles. There are approximately 130 pupils in the Sixth Form following a similar pattern of courses, including AS, A level and Applied Art qualifications and History of Art. Many of our students continue to study the subject at further or higher education level. The Department has regular successes at entry into leading London foundation courses and degree courses.

Studios are open in the afternoons and in the evenings and weekends. The vast majority of students attain the top three grades at GCSE and GCE. Of the 1790 exam candidates over the past 19 years, 931 have achieved A grades with a 97.4% pass rate. This high level of success is made possible by students who work intensively inside and outside lesson time and the dedication and skill of all the teaching staff.

The GCSE and A level exhibitions held in the summer term are two of the highlights of the school year. Work, in a variety of media and styles, is encouraged with traditional drawing and painting skills alongside more experimental work. The Department has excellent ICT facilities.

Art & Design has always played an important role in this non-selective school.