Art

Art at Birkdale Prep School aims to be both visually and intellectually stimulating and makes a vital contribution to the school curriculum. Art lessons begin in Pre-Prep 3 (Y2) with a specialist Art teacher in a dedicated Art room for half an hour per week. This increases to 1 hour per week as they enter Prep (Y3).

Pupils are encouraged to explore materials and processes and to develop their creativity and imagination. They will be faced with decisions and will need to experiment, explore and make discoveries of their own.

Each project undertaken will incorporate drawing as a starting point; they will explore the work of other artists and will be encouraged to discuss openly their ideas and their work. They will explore and develop their own ideas and reach a final outcome. Competitions and exhibitions are entered locally and nationally.

Everyone keeps a sketchbook. They are encouraged to use this to personally develop their own ideas for art work, although a wide variety of media are used to record ideas including: drawing, mark making, colour photography and ICT. A personal and individual response to a theme is always encouraged and pupils are able to take risks in a safe and structured working environment. Art at the Prep School culminates in an exhibition of work, held at a local independent venue.

There are also extra opportunities with a popular Art Club and Photography Club. The Art room remains open during lunchtimes for pupils to develop class work or focus on independent learning.

Design and Technology

The principal aim of Design and Technology at Birkdale Prep School is to equip pupils with the ability to become independent thinkers, who are adaptable and enquiring in our ever changing modern technological world. They will develop their skills to work both independently and in group activities.

Everyone is given the opportunity to experience designing, making and modifying, using a wide range of materials, tools and processes including card, textiles construction materials, modern materials and ICT.

Pre-Prep (KS1)

In Pre-Prep DT is delivered for 1 hour a week for one term each year. Pupils are introduced to the dynamic working environment of the D & T workshop space from the very start of their education.

Early experiences of Design and Technology at Birkdale Prep School, include exploring materials through play, asking questions about how things work, investigating and using a variety of materials, developing making skills and a basic introduction to research and design.

Prep (KS2)

Pupils explore a variety of materials and processes including card, textiles and construction materials. They use a wide variety of tools and equipment. They are given the opportunity to explore the design process from start to finish. They are guided through the different stages of the process from research, the generation and development of ideas and practical activities in which children realise quality functional products, fit for their intended purpose.

A wide variety of projects are taken on. These are designed to build and develop increasing skills allowing them to work towards greater independence and the ability to think critically, solve problems, modify and evaluate their work. They develop their use of tools and equipment and learn to manipulate a variety of different materials.

Topics covered include: electronics, mechanisms and levers, graphics and packaging, structures, pneumatics and 3D modelling.

Drama

Drama plays an important part in school life throughout the Prep School. In Prep 1 and 2 the boys have 1.5 hours per week and in Prep 3 and 4 they have 45 minutes per week.

The Drama department is well resourced, including numerous props and costumes available to use. The curriculum is reviewed annually to ensure that it is always up to date and engaging. The topics have been chosen to ensure that we provide them with exciting stimuli throughout their drama journey here at Prep School.

The lessons focus upon developing three main skills – facial expressions, vocal expression and body language. Throughout the year, they study three topics based on a skill, text or theme.

Where possible, we take trips to the theatre, as we feel that it is important to see live professional performances. We are passionate about providing a well-rounded curriculum in Drama, to ensure that they have best opportunity to thrive and achieve.

English

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” – W. B. Yeats

In English, we work to inspire and enthuse the children in our care, setting alight a desire to learn about all aspects of English while giving pupils the opportunity to taste the diversity of experiences and successes available through a rich and varied English curriculum.

Through English, our pupils can discover more about themselves and the world around them, developing confidence, imagination and creativity so that they can express their experiences, feelings and opinions.

We hold firmly to the belief that English is central to every aspect of our pupils’ personal, social, spiritual and academic development.  Being able to use language confidently, both written and spoken, is vital.

We encourage pupils to be articulate and confident. They will have the opportunity to develop a love of reading and a good understanding of what they read. As writers, they will be confident using a wide range of styles and be able to engage their audience through well-planned work. We are proud that our pupils achieve standards that are well above national averages.

Sets

In Prep 3 (Year 5) and Prep 4 (Year 6), pupils are split into smaller groups for specialist English teaching. Typically, this is a Set 1 and two smaller Set 2s, though other configurations may apply depending upon the cohort. When placing pupils in sets, we take into account their ability, working styles and the level of support they may require. This ensures that, while everyone receives the same core curriculum, each individual receives the teaching that they need to maximise progress. There are also regular opportunities for collaborating and interacting with pupils from other sets.

Assessments

Assessment is an integral part of all English teaching. Progress is continually monitored throughout a child’s time in Prep. There are also termly formal assessments, the results of which are reported to parents.

Reading

Reading is central to every aspect of the curriculum. Enthusiastic readers make good learners. We aim to introduce pupils to a wide variety of books, both in class and for their own personal reading. Dedicated reading time is included in the children’s timetables every week. The children look forward to this opportunity for undisturbed reading.  Audio books, individual book choices (either from home or the school library) and group reading are all practised in this session. This time is used to expose the children to a wide variety of challenging texts.

In lessons, pupils continue to hone their reading skills through use of a variety of reading schemes and a teacher, or teaching assistant, will listen to them read individually on a regular basis. It is also important that they have the opportunity to read out loud regularly at home to continue to develop fluency and expression.

As they move forward into Prep 3 (Year 5) and Prep 4 (Year 6), they are expected to spend more time reading independently and may be asked to provide book reviews or posters to share their favourite authors with others.

In class, pupils read a variety of texts – from fairy tales to spy thrillers, recipes to famous speeches. We aim to make children familiar with the features of specific genres and to build up their comprehension skills.

Authors are invited into the school on a regular basis to share their latest stories, talk about the creative process and run workshops.

Writing

Writing is often closely linked to the texts the children read. As well as being taught the skills needed to write clearly and coherently (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure etc.), pupils are encouraged to use exciting vocabulary and powerful imagery to express their creativity and imagination, and to discover their own voice as a writer.

Speaking & Listening

This is central to every lesson, with time in class dedicated to discussion in pairs, small groups or a whole class.  We encourage children to articulate their ideas and justify opinions before committing themselves to paper.

In Prep, everyone takes part in regular drama lessons. This is further supported in Prep 3 and Prep 4 through the very popular Drama Club, which stages regular productions.

Spelling

Each week, pupils are given a list of spellings to learn based around a particular spelling rule. Most tackle a core list of words. Others may be given a shorter list or challenged with some harder words. As well as learning to spell the words, they are expected to be able to use them correctly in sentences to help broaden their vocabulary.

Additional Needs

Some pupils may benefit from additional time to tackle issues arising in spelling, reading or writing. The English team work closely with the Learning Support department to identify areas of difficulty and plan appropriate intervention. This may be through small group work with a teacher or teaching assistant. Others might need individual Learning Support lessons to enable them to catch up with their peers. Everyone is constantly monitored to ensure they are making the best possible progress.

Other Events

Each year we endeavour to provide pupils with a diverse range of Literacy related activities. These include:

Book Fairs

Book Days – where pupils dress up as their favourite book characters and take part in workshops.

Author visits

Competitions – both in school and at a national level

Theatre experiences – we organise visits to the theatre or travelling theatre companies visit us.

French and Spanish

Modern Foreign Languages are an integral part of learning at Birkdale, with specialist teaching in both French and Spanish, and weekly oral lessons for P3 and P4 with native Foreign Languages assistants.

The MFL classroom provides a specialist room with visual prompts and plenty of props and resources for pupils to enjoy language learning in a supportive environment. The emphasis is on enjoyment: in order to flourish in a language, the pupils must be confident to try, and making mistakes is all part of experimenting with new sounds and unfamiliar words!

Each language lesson comprises the four essential components of successful language learning: speaking, reading, writing and listening. The focus for younger pupils is on speaking and listening, and in P3 and P4 there is equal focus on all four skills. Homework is set for P3 and P4, and we encourage everyone to supplement their learning outside school by using Linguascope, an interactive languages website.

Pre-Prep learn Spanish in a weekly lesson, which includes plenty of games, role-play and songs to excite them about languages from an early age. They begin to learn phonics in order to be able to pronounce and read Spanish effectively, and do some written work in a Spanish workbook with pictures to aid their comprehension.

French is introduced in Prep, alongside Spanish. P1 and P2 have one lesson of each language per week, and P3 and P4 have two lessons of French, and one of Spanish, in order to ensure they have a similar level of competency in both languages come the end of P4. The older pupils also benefit from a weekly lesson with the Foreign Language Assistant, which helps prepare them for the higher level of speaking required at Key Stage 3.

The curriculum is written with practical situations in mind. Therefore, as well as learning the basics, everyone enjoys topics including: myself and family, the body, pets, food and drink, in a restaurant, in a French/Spanish town, sports, weather and music. Special topics complement events happening around the world, such as the World Cup or the Olympics. They also learn the importance of speaking a foreign language by doing their own research on a French or Spanish speaking country around the world.

Outside the classroom there is a weekly language club open to all Prep pupils, and an opportunity to watch a touring theatre company perform a production in French. European Languages Day is also an exciting event on the MFL calendar; this year we celebrated all things Italian, next year we’ll be going Greek! And for Prep 4 who are leaving us, there is the hugely popular trip to northern France in the summer term, where they sample authentic French cuisine, and more importantly put all their French learning to the test!

Geography

Geography in the Prep department covers a wide variety of topics key to the world we live in, underpinned by core skills required to enjoy the subject.

Care is taken to provide a balanced programme of physical, human and environmental topics.

It is taught by subject specialist teachers for 3 periods per week throughout the Prep department. Notable teaching points include:

• Skills based learning which develops mapping techniques, a knowledge of the world through the use of atlases and maps as well as fieldwork techniques are studied.
• Pupils experience a number of fieldwork opportunities including a River Study of Burbage Brook and Padley Gorge and an Environmental Pollution Study.
• In Prep 3 (Year 5) everyone is offered the opportunity to take part in the 5-Day residential expedition to the Lake District.

History

History in the Prep department covers a wide variety of topics from the past, underpinned by core skills required to enjoy the subject.

Topics are studied in chronological order so pupils can understand clearly the development of our world in time order, and the concepts of continuity and change.

History is taught by subject specialist teachers for 3 periods per week throughout the Prep department. Notable teaching points include:

• Skills based learning that develops an understanding of sources of evidence and the ability to interrogate them effectively.
• Pupils are encouraged to think for themselves and structure their own opinions.
• Pupils experience a number of trips and workshop opportunities including to The Royal Armouries and Eden Camp.

ICT

ICT at Birkdale is both studied as a subject in its own right and is also a valuable tool to support teaching and learning across the whole curriculum. The main aims of the department are simple:

• To provide access to facilities throughout the school day and beyond.
• To equip pupils with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in today’s world of information dependence.
• To encourage independent learning through safe and appropriate use of the Internet and other computing resources.
• To train and support staff with ICT skills to enhance teaching and learning.

In the four years at the Prep School from Prep 1 to Prep 4 (Year 3 to Year 6) all study ICT through weekly double lessons on a half-termly basis. They are taught how to manage their own files and use the facilities in a safe and efficient manner. The pupils are introduced to computer science through simple algorithms and coding. They are also taught the foundational skills of word-processing, spreadsheets, painting and drawing, desktop publishing, presentation software, simple databases and safe and responsible use of the Internet. These skills not only enable pupils to use computers across the curriculum, but also prepare them for the Senior School where they develop the skills to a higher level.

All these lessons are taught in a dedicated ICT Suite with networked computers, interactive whiteboard and projector. These facilities are used by other subject teachers in addition to being open at lunchtimes and after school for ICT clubs and societies for different age groups. Sets of iPads and laptops integrate ICT skills to support the wider curriculum.

Pupils are assessed every half term and given grades. They receive a written report on their progress at the end of Prep 3 and Prep 4 (Year 5 to Year 6). This is achieved by ensuring that time is spent on a one-to-one basis with each pupil as often as possible during practical periods of a lesson. Enthusiasm for the subject, ability to answer questions on procedure, willingness to share skills with others and confidence at using the computer are all clues as to the progress each pupil is making. In turn, this has a direct effect on the maintenance of standards throughout Key Stage 2 and the broader curriculum at the Prep School.

Maths

In the Prep department, we seek to ensure that all pupils develop an understanding and enjoyment of Maths. This is done through providing a stimulating and challenging mathematical environment, using differentiated tasks in order to interest and motivate pupils of all abilities. This enables everyone to succeed, whatever their individual needs. Their learning is enriched through a variety of individual, paired and group tasks; thus promoting the discussion of mathematical ideas. Problem solving and investigations are also practised to encourage pupils to make connections across mathematical ideas and to develop reasoning and competence in solving increasingly sophisticated problems.

Homework

Homework is given weekly in Prep 1 to Prep 4 (Year 3 to Year 6). Time spent on homework should be approximately:
Prep 1 (Year 3) – 20 minutes
Prep 2 (Year 4) – 20 – 30 minutes
Prep 3 (Year 5) – 30 minutes
Prep 4 (Year 6) – 30 – 40 minutes

All homework is designed to consolidate work done in class and is differentiated to match understanding. Homework also provides parents with an invaluable opportunity to be involved in their son or daughter’s learning. Some will invariably work through homework tasks more easily than others. Parents are asked to enable their son or daughter to do what is reasonable and to seek further clarification from their Maths teacher when necessary.

Timetabling and Setting

The timetable allocation for Maths is as follows:
Prep 1 (Year 3) – 5 x 1 hour lessons per week
Prep 2 (Year 4) – 5 x 1 hour lessons per week
Prep 3 (Year 5) – 4 x 1 hour lessons per week
Prep 4 (Year 6) – 4 x 1 hour lessons per week

Prep 1 and 2 are taught in class groups, with a small group needing a little extra reinforcement taken from both classes to make up a smaller set, taught by a third teacher.
Prep 3 and 4 are taught in sets according to their ability.

Assessment

Assessment is an integral part of all Maths teaching. Progress is continually monitored throughout their time in the Prep School.

Testing takes place once per term. In addition to this, Prep 4 take the Entrance Test for Senior School in the Easter term. Results of termly tests are given to, and discussed with, parents at Parents’ Evening.

Other Events

Throughout the year, we enter teams to take part in the following Maths events:

Birkdale Senior School Year 6 Maths Quiz
National Young Mathematicians’ Awards (NRICH)
The Sheffield Pop Maths Quiz (Sheffield Hallam University)
The National Key Stage Two Maths Quiz Championship

In 2017, our Prep 4 teams were regional winners of the National Young Mathematicians’ Awards. They also won the Sheffield Pop Maths Quiz and reached the National Finals of the National Key Stage 2 Maths Quiz Championship in Oxford.

Curriculum Plan

For full details of the Maths Curriculum Plan please click here

Music

We believe that music is for everyone. Our aim is to enable all pupils to achieve their best standard; to stretch the gifted and to cultivate the hidden musicality in others. As well as the skills, disciplines, knowledge and enjoyment which are acquired through musical study, musical training can also develop a number of life skills such as self-discipline, co-operation with others and mental and physical co-ordination. Whether a pupil aspires to great musical heights as a soloist or is destined to enjoy making music as a hobby, we aim to provide the facility for everyone to develop musical pursuits best suited to their own styles and interests.

Music in the Classroom

Across the Prep School, pupils are taught in mixed ability classes and the Director of Music, Mr Bish, is responsible for the delivery of music lessons from P1 – P4. Pupils in each year group receive one hour of music lessons per week (two academic periods) with a maximum class size of 24 students.

The syllabus incorporates, and is shaped by, the requirements of the National Curriculum, these being the basic core for the scheme of work. However, through the use of specialist teachers and first rate facilities, we hope to deliver as wide a programme as possible.

In Clarke House there is a spacious Music classroom with its own recording studio and mini grand piano. There are various class sets of un-tuned percussion instruments including Djembes and Brazilian Surdo Drums, alongside tuned percussion (glockenspiels), keyboards that integrate with iPad software and are also all linked to a mixer by the teacher’s desk, a class set of ukuleles and various other instruments.

The Music room has its own suite of 13 iPads, all running specialist apps to aid the teaching of Music to children and other teaching and learning resources. The department also has excellent audio visual equipment. The Director of Music (a former Head of Music Technology) is enthusiastic about integrating Music Technology into the curriculum. Other accommodation within the department is similarly spacious and well equipped.

The overriding philosophy of the department is to encourage pupils to support one another and not be afraid to join in and try something new.

Ongoing skills

Prep 1

Play & perform in solo and ensemble contexts, sing and play musical instruments with increasing accuracy, fluency, control and expression. Improvise and compose music and listen to music with attention to detail. Appreciate and understand music from other cultures.

Prep 2

Play & perform in solo and ensemble contexts, sing and play musical instruments with increasing accuracy, fluency, control and expression. Improvise and compose music and listen to music with attention to detail and recall sounds with increasing aural memory. Use and understand staff and treble clef. Appreciate and understand music from other cultures and traditions.

Prep 3

Play & perform in solo and ensemble contexts, sing and play musical instruments with increasing accuracy, fluency, control and expression. Improvise and compose music and listen to music with attention to detail and recall sounds with increasing aural memory. Use and understand staff and other musical notation. Appreciate and understand music from other cultures, traditions and great composers.

Prep 4

Play & perform in solo and ensemble contexts, sing and play musical instruments with increasing accuracy, fluency, control and expression. Improvise and compose music and listen to music with attention to detail and recall sounds with increasing aural memory. Use and understand staff and other musical notation. Appreciate and understand music from other cultures, traditions and great composers. Develop an understanding of the History of Music.

PE

Physical Education is a very important part of life at the Prep School, with all pupils receiving at least three hours of PE, Swimming and Sport per week, delivered by our specialist PE teacher.

The curriculum has a strong focus on developing physical literacy and fundamental sports skills.

Through this approach, we aim to give our pupils the confidence and curiosity required to challenge themselves across a wide variety of activities, both in and out of school.

Pupils are encouraged to learn as individuals and within groups, understanding perseverance, commitment and hard work, alongside learning to accept winning and losing with dignity.

We believe it is important for pupils to enjoy physical activity and understand the lifelong benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Most importantly there is an emphasis on having fun and giving your best at all times, regardless of the outcome.

Supporting the PE curriculum is an extensive programme of extra-curricular activities, including Cross-Country, Short Tennis, Judo, Try-Rugby, Try Football and Gymnastic Vaulting.

Religious Education

Birkdale is a Christian School and Religious Education forms part of the basic curriculum. The RE curriculum portrays a positive view of religion in general and Christianity in particular. It is taught with sensitivity and respect towards pupils’ own beliefs and any faith commitment of their families.

RE provides an opportunity for pupils to ask life’s big questions, helps them to handle issues they may face in their lives, provides a space for personal reflection or spiritual development and a chance for them to think about their own values, beliefs and identity.

Pupils are engaged using artefacts or objects for example, crosses from El Salvador, lively debate, looking at real, life faith stories, role play such as partaking in a Passover Meal, visits to churches, talking to visitors, being encouraged to ask questions and drawing parallels from the stories with their own lives.

Science

At Birkdale Prep School, we acknowledge the importance of a strong scientific foundation in a young person’s education.

As a subject, science provides children with many key skills, such as logical thinking and problem solving, as well as helping them to understand the world we live in and beyond. In science lessons, we focus on developing children’s scientific ideas and enquiry skills, supporting their desire to learn more about the world around them.

Science is taught in a specialised laboratory to all students in Prep 1 – 4, and is delivered in half-termly topics. Our science scheme of work is based on the National Curriculum, but we regularly explore content and ideas well beyond Key Stage 2.

Due to the facilities at Birkdale Prep School, children have the opportunity to regularly carry out scientific investigations and explore and test many of the unique ideas they bring to lessons.

Lessons

Prep 1 & 2 are taught science for one and a half hours per week.

Prep 3 & 4 are taught science for two hours per week. They receive regular homework (every two weeks in Prep 3 and weekly in Prep 4). Students are taught in groups of approximately 16.

Extra-curricular Opportunities in Science

• Visits from external speakers to give workshops, talks and demonstrations
• Opportunities to enter local and national STEM & Science competitions
• Participation in the Quiz Club National Science Championships
• Speaking to real-life scientists online as part of ‘I’m a Scientist: Get me out of here!’
• Science Club – running weekly for Prep 3 and 4 students.

AQA

2 units of coursework worth a total of 60%

The first 2 units run simultaneously and feed each other:

• The Portfolio Unit
• Unit of work based on London Galleries visits

Ongoing work in sketchbooks to support the projects, includes research into relevant Artists that related to each material/technique workshop done. Also the analysis of work by others and their own work will be included.

Other supporting studies include:

• pencil drawings
• charcoal
• pastels
• printmaking (lino and drypoint)
• small and medium size canvases
• experiments in collage
• black and white contextual experiments in texture
• large still-lifes

The result is 2 large compositions on stretched paper and on a large canvas.

Sketchbooks reveal students’ progress from the very beginning of the course. They show a student’s ability to draw with accuracy, fineness, personality and sensitivity of line.  Students prepare all their own equipment, learning how to stretch paper and do a coloured ground. They put together their own stretchers and stretch and prepare their own canvases. They are expected to understand colour mixing and the appropriate use of materials and adding texture sometimes.  Most of the work including some sketchbook work is mounted and presented by the students themselves.

Externally assessed assignment worth 40%

AQA issue starting points for this unit in the January of the final year at GCSE.

This 10 hour test is linked to the course and much of the preparation work is produced in sketchbooks during the allocated time.

Art and Design (AQA Fine Art 7202)

We are seeing the aims of the department bear fruit with a generation of artists emerging who are producing a tremendous range of exciting and highly skilled work.

There is also a culture of art appreciation and debate growing within the school. Other departments are responding to this and several joint ventures have been undertaken. Many pupils now choose art related subjects to study at university including Fine Art, Architecture, History of Art, Graphics, Theatre Design etc.

We have also enjoyed a great deal of success in the public exams, with a high percentage of students getting top grades at GCSE and A level.

AQA

2 units of coursework worth a total of 60%

The first 2 units run simultaneously and feed each other:

• The Portfolio Unit
• Unit of work based on London Galleries visits

Ongoing work in sketchbooks to support the projects, includes research into relevant Artists that related to each material/technique workshop done. Also the analysis of work by others and their own work will be included.

Other supporting studies include:

• pencil drawings
• charcoal
• pastels
• printmaking (lino and drypoint)
• small and medium size canvases
• experiments in collage
• black and white contextual experiments in texture
• large still-lifes

The result is 2 large compositions on stretched paper and on a large canvas.

Sketchbooks reveal students’ progress from the very beginning of the course. They show a student’s ability to draw with accuracy, fineness, personality and sensitivity of line.  Students prepare all their own equipment, learning how to stretch paper and do a coloured ground. They put together their own stretchers and stretch and prepare their own canvases. They are expected to understand colour mixing and the appropriate use of materials and adding texture sometimes.  Most of the work including some sketchbook work is mounted and presented by the students themselves.

Externally assessed assignment worth 40%

AQA issue starting points for this unit in the January of the final year at GCSE.

This 10 hour test is linked to the course and much of the preparation work is produced in sketchbooks during the allocated time.

Art and Design (AQA Fine Art 7202)

We are seeing the aims of the department bear fruit with a generation of artists emerging who are producing a tremendous range of exciting and highly skilled work.

There is also a culture of art appreciation and debate growing within the school. Other departments are responding to this and several joint ventures have been undertaken. Many pupils now choose art related subjects to study at university including Fine Art, Architecture, History of Art, Graphics, Theatre Design etc.

We have also enjoyed a great deal of success in the public exams, with a high percentage of students getting top grades at GCSE and A level.

AQA

2 units of coursework worth a total of 60%

The first 2 units run simultaneously and feed each other:

• The Portfolio Unit
• Unit of work based on London Galleries visits

Ongoing work in sketchbooks to support the projects, includes research into relevant Artists that related to each material/technique workshop done. Also the analysis of work by others and their own work will be included.

Other supporting studies include:

• pencil drawings
• charcoal
• pastels
• printmaking (lino and drypoint)
• small and medium size canvases
• experiments in collage
• black and white contextual experiments in texture
• large still-lifes

The result is 2 large compositions on stretched paper and on a large canvas.

Sketchbooks reveal students’ progress from the very beginning of the course. They show a student’s ability to draw with accuracy, fineness, personality and sensitivity of line.  Students prepare all their own equipment, learning how to stretch paper and do a coloured ground. They put together their own stretchers and stretch and prepare their own canvases. They are expected to understand colour mixing and the appropriate use of materials and adding texture sometimes.  Most of the work including some sketchbook work is mounted and presented by the students themselves.

Externally assessed assignment worth 40%

AQA issue starting points for this unit in the January of the final year at GCSE.

This 10 hour test is linked to the course and much of the preparation work is produced in sketchbooks during the allocated time.

Art and Design (AQA Fine Art 7202)

We are seeing the aims of the department bear fruit with a generation of artists emerging who are producing a tremendous range of exciting and highly skilled work.

There is also a culture of art appreciation and debate growing within the school. Other departments are responding to this and several joint ventures have been undertaken. Many pupils now choose art related subjects to study at university including Fine Art, Architecture, History of Art, Graphics, Theatre Design etc.

We have also enjoyed a great deal of success in the public exams, with a high percentage of students getting top grades at GCSE and A level.