A Bustling Art Department

Making and exploring art in and outside school to fuel creativity and promote well-being

The Art department has been bustling with activity this half term. From welcoming grand parents in our art classes, the Year 11 visit to the Chapman Gallery, a fun Mics and Masterpieces lunchtime for Children Mental Health Week to our long standing displays of the Work of the Week, our pupils have been making and exploring Art in all its forms.

Grandparents in Art Classes This half term, we were excited to welcome some of our students’ grandparents to help out in our Year 8 textiles classes. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect and share knowledge.

In the upcoming half term, we would love to invite other grandparents and carers in to assist in our Year 7 textiles classes, where students will be learning sewing, appliqué, and tie-dye techniques. Why Get Involved? – Build Connections: Share your skills and bond with students. – Foster Creativity: Help students explore their artistic talents. – Flexible Commitment: Come for one class or more starting from 3rd March 2025. No prior experience is required – just your enthusiasm to guide and support the students. If you’re interested, please contact your (grand)child’s teacher to sign up as booking ahead is essential.

Year 11 Art, Craft, and Design Trip Year 11 Art, Craft, and Design students recently visited the Chapman Gallery at Hertfordshire University to gather inspiration for their exam projects. The visit offered a chance to engage with various artists’ works, exploring connections to their theme of “gathering.”

Sketching from primary sources sharpens observational accuracy, fuels creativity, and deepens the understanding of an artist’s intent. Our students’ sketches were full of energy and creativity. Their behavior was also exemplary, leaving a positive impression on both themselves and the school.

Mics and Masterpieces On the 6th of February, pupils attended a “Mics and Masterpieces” lunchtime event as part of Children’s Mental Health Week. Here, they were offered a chance to perform informally a tune of their choice in an open-mic forum with an eager audience. They could also decorate cookies or jump on an easel to unleash creativity in a free art space. It was a fun and creative way to promote well-being through the arts in an informal environment. The singers, in particular, were exceptional.

Work of the Week In our Art department, teachers select one or more pieces of artwork to celebrate as the “Work of the Week.” These pieces are typically chosen for the exceptional achievement displayed that week, acknowledging the hard work and talent of the creators. This term, Year 11 and Year 7 students have truly shone, and their efforts have been recognized!

 

Mrs Armstrong