Art & Design
The
STAFF
Mr P Cleaver (Head of Department)
Mrs A S Cassell
Mrs A S Heath (i/c Charity)
Mrs B Wood
Miss J Price (Technician)
FACILITIES
The department consists of five rooms and is well equipped for general art activities as well as containing specialist facilities for Ceramics, Textiles and Printing. The department also has a suite of computers and a small darkroom.
CURRICULUM
Art is compulsory in years 7 to 9 and optional in years 10 and 11. Numbers are strong at GCSE with good numbers continuing on to A Level in the sixth form. In addition to timetabled lessons there are lunchtime and after school sessions laid on to aid the progress of the pupils' work. At GCSE there are two gallery based visits organised during the course with an overseas visit organised for the Sixth form every other year. We currently follow AQA at GCSE and OCR at A Level.
ETHOS
Within the Bablake School Art Department we encourage pupils to think inventively, in order to develop visual images and form critical judgements. The department aims to focus upon the individual, encouraging each pupil to gain confidence in their abilities and learn that there are many approaches to Art and Design rather than one right way. We encourage a broad approach to developing an appreciation and understanding of contemporary and historical artistic achievements across a range of cultures and contexts. The results of this approach can be seen around the school in the vibrancy and variety of outcomes.
DESTINATIONS
It is gratifying to see a number of our students embark upon a range of art related degree courses in Architecture, Textiles, Fashion Journalism, Graphic Illustration and Fine Art as well as Art Foundation Courses upon leaving Bablake.
EXTRA CURRICULAR
The department believes in creating as many opportunities as possible to foster the visual awareness of pupils and to stretch the abilities of those pupils with an interest or aptitude for the subject. To this end we provide an Art Club which runs most lunchtimes as well as after school activities for exam groups. Workshops are also provided for Sixth form pupils to work with practising artists. The department often gets fully involved in the production of sets, costumes and props for school drama productions. We have also undertaken the painting of large murals for the Cheshunt School and Alderman’s Green School, which have involved Sixth formers, as part of their Enrichment programme, and the Art Department Scholarship winners.
CONTACT
For more information, contact the department head at: