ART & Design

We are an exciting and creative department with our achievements presented all around the school. Our students are encouraged to enter competitions enjoying success, and many have had their work displayed at the annual Sutton Festival of Youth Art at SCOLA. Many students attend art club and a group of sixth formers have recently introduced an Orient club where they are teaching origami and learning about traditional Eastern art. You will usually find students working independently during lunchtime and after school in the department.

All students study art in years 7 & 8 when they experience a wide variety of learning to look for their strengths, make cross curricular links, and encourage independent learning and group work. They develop their knowledge and appreciation of a wide variety of art styles and learn to discuss and present their own opinions about the work they are studying. All students are encouraged to visit art galleries and museums to develop their own interests. They work in 2 and 3 dimensions using a wide variety of media, including photography, computer aided design and printmaking. Our students are very proud of their art journals which are a joy to see.

This principal of learning continues and develops further into GCSE and A Level studies and the standard of work is very high. Students are encouraged to take ownership for their portfolios of artwork which is a major part of the final assessment in the examinations. Many of our students continue to study at degree level continuing into fine art, history of art and architecture, graphic design, typography, animation, automobile design, product design and others. Students have enjoyed some excellent work experience placements over the years helping them with career choices.

Art is also a great complement to students wishing to go into the medical profession where fine motor skills and a high level of observation are valuable. The GCSE and A Level exhibitions in June are very popular and students often sell their work.