The philosophy of the Art Department is to develop students’ ability to create, to provide knowledge of techniques and artistic heritage and to inspire confidence in themselves through the subject.  We aim to provide a creative and artistic environment so that all students reach their full potential in this subject.  We believe Art is fundamental to students’ development across the school.

Learning is project based, allowing a development of ideas and techniques. Students are taught a range of techniques for drawing and painting, print making and three-dimensional work. Work becomes increasingly challenging as students’ progress through the years.

Lessons are firmly linked to the National Curriculum for Art, and assessed against National Curriculum levels. Home Learning is set regularly and is used to practise and reinforce the skills learnt in the classroom.

We aim to provide stimulating visits and trips where possible which have previously included trips to the Henry Moore Foundation, Kew Gardens, Natural History Museum at Tring and The Tate. We also run a residential trip to New York with the Photography Department.

We encourage students to spend lunch times in the Art Department where they can further develop their art skills. We also run after school sessions for any students wishing to work on coursework out of school hours.

We have high standards and have achieved some excellent results at GCSE and ‘A’ level. A number of our students gain places at very prestigious Art Colleges purely on the strengths of their portfolio of artwork. Every year we hold a very successful private view for students’ examination work, which is always well-supported. We regularly enter competitions, including those run by The Royal Society for Young British Artists and St Albans District Council, and have had several winners. 

Please use the links below to find out more about the teaching and learning taking place in the Art department:

Click here to return to the Arts and Technology page.