Art
OVERVIEW
Art is a thriving subject at King’s with consistently good results and a growing cohort of talented pupils. The diversity of the courses we offer aims to stretch creative minds and develop visual literacy.
OUR SYLLABUS
Today’s employers are looking for creative thinkers and people who are willing to take risks. Through theme based projects, pupils meet a variety of challenges and learn to independently develop ideas and formulate creative solutions.
Through exploration and experimentation, we encourage our pupils to be imaginative thinkers who can make decisions and communicate confidently in our increasingly visual world. Drawing, painting, printmaking, photography and sculpture are just some of the experiences of pupils working in the area of fine art and photography at GCSE level.
Pupils are encouraged to be experimental and discover their strengths at the same time as developing their ability to communicate ideas and solve problems. All practical work is supported by contextual research and gallery visits; artist workshops and talks play a key role.
WHY STUDY ART?
Art is about connecting with the wider world, exploring ideas, culture and design both digitally and through physical media. In an increasingly image-based world, art offers the tools to understand and experiment with visual language.
Through both photography and art, pupils tap into their own creativity, which is an essential skill in the world of work and for personal development.
Through an engaging and exciting programme of artist workshops as well as trips abroad and in the UK, we foster the creativity of the next designers, makers and original thinkers of this world.
Numerous trips to enhance and expand the horizons of projects for all year groups: the Year 9 trip to the Eden project, the Year 10 trip to London’s biggest galleries, and the international trip to a different European city every other year are all on offer.
Print-making and photography workshops form part of our outreach activities at the school, working with local primary schools. Visiting artists also provide workshops to enhance GCSE projects.
Pupils are encouraged to enter national design competitions; this year, a team of Year 9 pupils won a nationally recognised architectural competition. Support is also given to those in the exam groups, with art workshops after school to enable further individual guidance from teachers.
Art and photography enable the development of a wide range of soft skills, including creativity, adaptability, communication, collaboration, problem-solving, attention to detail, self-motivation, emotional and cultural intelligence In addition, pupils will enhance their time management, open-mindedness, technological literacy, design and user experience, and use of AI.
