The teaching of Art has a crucial role within any curriculum. Pupils today learn as much through visual images as they do through words. The understanding of visual information is a necessity for any pupil in today’s changing world. Pupils need to learn that pictures, artifacts and symbols can have several meanings and that different interpretations of them are possible in a modern civilised and multicultural society. This undoubtedly is best achieved by making, investigating and understanding Art.

Humans have always had a psychological need for Art. Early and primitive cultures placed artwork on buildings, boats and costumes. The meaning of written words can be lost in time, but we can see, from their pictures, how the people dressed; what their homes looked like; how they travelled. Visual language is always legible.

The Art Department has five specialist areas including personalised studio spaces for those studying AS and A level Art. The History of Art room contains an extensive library – both books and slides – computer, television and video. The department also organises trips to all the main art centres in Europe in the Spring and Autumn half terms.