Art and Photography



Subject leader:  Mrs L O'Neill


Art is uniquely positioned in the school curriculum, providing pupils with the practical and conceptual skills to go on rewarding and creative personal journeys. As a department we endeavour to enable students to pursue the subject to the highest possible level and to create curiosity, interest and a sense of play.


We encourage independent learning and self-discipline and strive to ensure that our challenging curriculum and enrichment opportunities appeal to the wide range of students who come into our school. We enhance student learning by visiting museums and galleries and by our involvement in projects and workshops run by outside organisations such as UAL and the Barbican. These experiences play a huge part in developing an awareness of the significance of art and its value as an important, and fundamental area of education.


We work hard to help students to make the most of their abilities and develop confidence and independence by helping them succeed in their competence to create, take risks and problem solve.


Art is displayed around the school providing interest and inspiration. Many of our students go on to study Art, Design and Architecture at degree level. Past students are now working successfully in the creative industries both here and abroad.

  • Key Stage 3 Art

    In years 7-9 , pupils undertake thematic projects. Projects are designed to provide an engaging stimulus for students to develop their practical skills in order to be effective in communicating ideas visually. Students are taught about art across a broad range of media and contemporary art, as well as traditional works. Drawing skills are explored as a means of recording, expressing and experimenting. There is also the opportunity to work on group projects and collaborations, which help to promote studio culture.


    KS3 Resources

    Year 7 Welcome



  • Key Stage 4 Art and Design

    GCSE Art, Craft and Design is a two year course during which students produce two units of coursework accounting for 60% of the final grade. The terminal examination involves ten weeks of preparation for the timed test and accounts for the remaining 40% of marks. Throughout the course students keep a sketch book and have the opportunity to work with different materials to create images. The course begins with an initial structured mixed media workshop that refine and develop a wide range of skills, techniques and processes in using the formal elements such as drawing, painting, and investigating of others work. As the course builds students are encouraged and supported in their exploration of personal ideas and themes. Students may use whichever form is most appropriate to produce a personal final piece in response to the theme.


    KS4 Resources

    KS4 Information

    GCSE Art and Design Specification

  • Key Stage 4 Photography

    GCSE Photography is a two-year course during which students explore a variety specialised units of coursework accounting for 60% of the final grade. The terminal examination involves ten weeks of preparation for the timed test and accounts for the remaining 40% of marks. Throughout the course students keep a Digital sketchbook and have the opportunity to work with a variety of techniques to create photographs. The course begins with initial structured projects that refine and develop a wide range of skills, techniques and processes in exploring the importance of composition, lighting, angles, portraiture, photoshop and investigating other work. As the course builds students are encouraged and supported in their exploration of personal ideas and themes. Students may use whichever form is most appropriate to produce a personal final piece in response to the theme.


    KS4 Resources

    KS4 Information

    GCSE Photography Specification

  • Key Stage 5 Art and Design

    The A Level Art course enables students to start thinking and working as artists. Projects are personalised to our students’ interests. In the first year of the course students complete two projects, one of which is run as a rehearsal exam to prepare them for the second year of the course. Guidance is always available. Either of the first year projects or a brand new theme can form the start of the Year 13 unit, submitted at the end of the second year. Students are required to produce an essay based on the personal investigation theme. This is a critical and visual appraisal or theoretical study of any aspect of the visual arts. The exam unit is set by Edexcel. A preparatory period is followed by a 15-hour exam in which to produce personalised final outcomes.


    KS5 Resources

    A Level Specification 

    Art KS5 Subject Information

  • Key Stage 5 Photography

    As with The A Level Art course, A Level Photography projects are personalised. In the first year students complete two projects. Either of the first year projects or a brand new theme can form the start of the Year 13 unit, submitted at the end of the second year. Students produce an essay based on the personal investigation theme. This is a critical and visual appraisal or theoretical study of any aspect of the visual arts. The exam unit is set by Edexcel. A preparatory period is followed by a 15-hour exam in which to produce personalised final outcomes.


    KS5 Resources

    A Level Specification 

    Photography KS5 Subject Information

  • Curriculum Maps

    Our curriculum map outlines our teaching plan for Year 7 through to YEar 13.


These courses successfully prepare students for direct entry onto an Art Foundation Course and a range of Art related Degree courses such as Architecture, Photography, Graphic Design, Fine Art, Fashion, and Printmaking. Several students each year choose to undertake Art-related further education and gain places on highly competitive Art Foundation and Art degree courses, as well as on architecture courses.


Students are encouraged to participate in a range of extra-curricular opportunities . There are after school Art clubs at KS3 and after school sessions at KS4 and KS5. A group of KS3 students are involved in the Barbican Box which is an education programme delivered in-school by an artist mentor and culminates in an exhibition at the Barbican.


Over the past three years the department has been involved with the British Council’s Rivers of the World programme. Students worked with professional artist Shona Watt in two school based workshops and created three large scale artworks which were exhibited in London and in our partner city; Jericho in Palestine.


A number KS4 students attend UAL Saturday school run by Chelsea School of Art and Ravensbourne University. A valuable opportunity to experience Art School education at its cutting edge. This year long Saturday course concludes with an exhibition at the Courtauld Institute. Students involved receive half a GCSE.


KS5 students also attend UAL Saturday sessions and Portfolio Development workshops. Sixth formers have free access to studios during their free lessons to use our excellent facilities.


We believe all students have talents to explore and all students study Art at KS3. We have many students who select Art at GCSE and A-Level with great success. Below is a range of some of the student’s outstanding work: