Art and Design
The Art department is committed to offering a stimulating environment for a wide range of art and design practices, in the belief that creativity is a vital part of a full education. We have a purpose-built art block which uniquely houses Design Technology workshops as well as facilities for painting and drawing, sculpture and ceramics, print-making and textiles, computer-aided design and photography. It is a visually rich, open-plan, often chaotic but vibrant and truly creative and challenging department where students can use there imaginative, innovative and practical skills.
Life drawing takes place in a weekly evening class, and girls participate actively whether or not they are working from the figure in their coursework. We have had visits from the Royal Academy Outreach which encourages self-awareness and requires students to heighten their instincts and senses in order to capture the essence of the living being before them. Another facet of the department's activities is the varied workshops that have been led by visiting artists/craftsmen. For 3D work we have had a papier-mache and wire workshop (Peter Rush) and plaster workshop given by Carolyne Kardia. Every other year we offer bookbinding and designing, and making a stained glass panel, each facilitated by professional artists (Kate Farley and Ruth Kersley respectively). A weekly photography club exists for anyone who wishes to use the darkroom; girls can learn how to use a camera and develop photographs in facilities that are superior to those often found at art school.
Every year there is a trip to a foreign city which is offered to all girls studying Art, History of Art and Design Technology in the sixth form. These study tours have proven to be an invaluable spur to individual and ambitious work. In additon, our U6 girls have an intensive weekend away in Cornwall, enabling them at the beginning of their final year at school to work outdoors in the landscape, often perched for hours on clifftops or learning new ways of looking with a local artist. They always enjoy the day in St Ives, the sparkling views from Tate St Ives and the tranquil atmosphere in the garden at Barbara Hepworth's house studio.