Our Art Department is renowned for producing a diverse range of dynamic and innovative work. Throughout their time at Shiplake, pupils have the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and understanding in art and design, develop ideas and expand creative thinking. This enhances pupils’ independent learning skills and allows them to apply learning in a practical and realistic way.
Resources
The department is housed on the top floor of our bespoke John Turner Building. It features two purpose-built classrooms which benefit from natural light flooding in through the skylights. 3D ceramic work is created on pottery wheels or hand built and then fired in our large kiln, and we have facilities for etching, lino and screen-printing too. Our ethos allows artists the freedom to express themselves creatively through a variety of mediums such as painting, drawing, sculpting with wire and clay and textiles. The inspirational space allows us to facilitate life drawing for A-level students and weekly art clubs for all year groups.
Additional Opportunities
The Art Department regularly organises trips to galleries and exhibitions in the UK and abroad. Furthermore, the College hosts workshops in which visiting artists share their skills and knowledge with pupils. The co-curricular Art Club provides a fun and relaxing environment for pupils to release their creative tension. Club members enjoy attempting ambitious projects away from the pressures and limitations of the academic environment.
Curriculum
Key Stage 3
Lower School and Year 9 pupils are taught a range of techniques across several different artistic media. The boys are encouraged to experiment and express themselves, which leads many to discover a passion for the subject. The varied curriculum also enables pupils to identify particular strengths which they may wish to focus on when pursuing Art further up the College.
GCSE
Art is a very popular GCSE subject option with Shiplake pupils. Pupils will have the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and understanding in art and design. Pupils undertake the AQA Fine Art course which includes drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpting and printmaking. The course requires pupils to develop an ability to assess, question, criticise and make decisions through a number of artistic languages. This provides excellent all-round basic training and an insight into the rigours of A Level Art, as well as identifying pupils' strengths.
The final assessment pathway has not yet been confirmed; however, pupils should expect to complete a unit of coursework on a chosen theme and sit a 10 hour timed exam, producing preparatory work in support of the final piece.
Sixth Form
Anyone who has a proven ability and a love of art will be well-suited to studying the subject at A-level. The course further builds upon skills and techniques which have been nurtured throughout school life. Teaching will follow AQA's Fine Art course in a variety of skills such as drawing, painting, print-making, textiles, photography and ceramics/3D.
Pupils are expected to independently conduct research on field trips and in their own time by visiting galleries and exhibitions. Residential trips in the UK and abroad also provide invaluable opportunities to broaden pupils’ knowledge and experiences of art, craft and design from various cultural and contextual perspectives.
Assessment throughout the course is split between coursework and externally set assignments. Internal assessment takes place in Year 12 although successful work can be subsequently submitted as coursework. The coursework element commences in the Spring Term of Year 12 and is worth 60% of the final A-level mark. The external examination is completed between February and May and is worth 40%.
An excellent A-level portfolio opens the door for further study and a career in art, design architecture, teaching, fashion textiles, ceramics, commercial art, photography, theatre design, film and video. For talented artists, the opportunities are enormous. Shiplake offers first-class training and assistance for budding artists, and teachers are always eager to help Foundation Course applicants prepare a suitable portfolio.