Visual arts
The art room is a very different space from other spaces in the school. Stacked with sketchbooks, jars with pencils, paintbrushes and sinks splattered with paint, the art room is a space where students have the freedom to express their ideas and thoughts. The way art is taught means that interaction with other students and with the teacher is different in the art class. Students’ feedback mentions the bonds they form with their art teacher and classmates because of their shared interests and ideas.
Learning through and about visual arts enriches the experience of studying while at school as well as preparing students for life after school. Visual arts encourages self-expression and creativity which builds confidence as well as a sense of individual identity. Studying visual arts also helps to develop critical thinking and the ability to interpret and respond to the world around us.
Visual arts provides the opportunity to acquire new skills, work with your hands, and experiment with different art forms, media and techniques. Art lessons include teaching functional and useful skills that prepare students for their future careers, like the development of a portfolio, time management skills and working according to a project brief (to name a few). Our art department also works hard to forge links with arts organisations and creative practitioners, so that our students are afforded the opportunity to enter art competitions and take part in creative internships and festivals.
