King Edward VI Shakespeare's School | Stratford-upon-Avon

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The Art Department takes pride in being exciting, creative and dynamic.

Art is taught in a way that enables students to build knowledge of artistic practices, to develop a wide range of practical skills, as well as engaging with concepts and theory. This aims to further students’ artistic understanding and develops visual language skills.

All students in Years 7 and 8 study art through a variety of thematic projects that introduces them to the work of artists from a range of genres and cultures; both historical and contemporary. In Years 9 to 11 students who opt to take Art follow the OCR GCSE Art and Design course.

Students begin the GCSE by completing a series of teacher led projects that focus on building their practical skills and understanding of how to meet the assessment objectives. Towards the end of the course students are expected to work with greater independence, take creative risks and make appropriate choices regarding their outcomes.

Students have the option of continuing to refine their artistic skills and working with even greater independence in Sixth Form by taking the OCR Fine Art A Level. The department possesses good facilities and expertise in the teaching of drawing, painting, lens-based media, sculpture, digital work, mixed media and print making. There is one art classroom and a Sixth Form studio, which is invaluable to A Level students as it gives them a space to continue producing work outside of lesson times.

Students are encouraged to take part in extra-curricular activities, enter competitions and attend visits to galleries and sites of interest. The department hosts practising artists and designers and life drawing workshops, as well as undertaking trips to galleries. Past students have progressed onto university courses such as Design for Performance, Animation, Photography and Film, Concept Art, Architecture and Fine Art.

To see a selection of the artwork created by our students, please take a look at our departmental X feed here