Art and Photography

We encourage our students explore visual, tactile and other sensory experiences to communicate ideas and meanings. They work with traditional and new media, developing confidence, competence, imagination and creativity. They learn to appreciate and value images and artefacts across times and cultures, and to understand the contexts in which they were made. Students reflect critically on their own and other people’s work, judging quality, value and meaning. They learn to think and act as artists, craftspeople and designers, working creatively and intelligently. They develop an appreciation of art, craft and design, and its role in the creative and cultural industries that enrich their lives. 

Department vision: 

We prepare, inspire and educate the innovative artists of the future.

This is a well-established and successful department, which places a heavy emphasis on establishing good, friendly, supportive relations with students of all ages and abilities who pass through the department.  Our aim is to provide a stimulating, secure and professional learning environment through which students gain and extend experiences and artistic competencies, are able to express themselves, take creative risks, develop confidence and a sense of achievement that will enable them to contribute positively to the world around them.

The national curriculum for art and design aims to ensure that all pupils:

• produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences

• become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques
• evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design
• know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.