Art

The visual arts play a major role in both the curriculum and cultural life of pupils at Bristol Grammar School. The art department, which is housed in its own building, is staffed by a dedicated team of six specialist art teachers. All pupils will come into contact with all teachers, allowing them to experience a wide variety of approaches during their time in the department.

Our aim is to introduce each pupil to a broad range of creative opportunities which will stimulate, engage and challenge them. The courses are designed to help them to build a strong visual ‘literacy’ through observation and imagination. Throughout years 7, 8 and 9 they are encouraged to build up strong drawing and graphic skills, basic colour theory and an appreciation of the work of both contemporary and past artists. We encourage them in the use of sketchbooks as a research tool and each pupil will use them in class as well as for fortnightly homework.

GCSE

At GCSE all of our pupils take the AQA art and design, fine art course. This course, which is run over two years, allows them to investigate and experiment, in depth, a range of projects which create the coursework folio (60% of the marks). The course is completed by a terminal examination set by the board (40% of the marks).

All pupils are encouraged to work in a range of approaches, methods and materials, including digital photography, image manipulation, paint, printmaking and model making. Drawn and graphic imagery is a core part of the course structure.

Facilities

The art department enjoys the sole use of a building which houses a range of light studios, a printmaking studio with presses for intaglio and relief processes and a department library.

Field Trips

Each year pupils will be taken to galleries and museums to see works of art at first hand and special exhibition visits are arranged when appropriate.

For details of the GCSE curriculum please visit www.aqa.org.uk