Bethany has a thriving Art Department which prides itself on the wide diversity of work pupils are able to produce. Four members of staff teach in large, purpose built rooms which, in addition to traditional drawing and painting, offer pupils the opportunity to work in ceramics, textiles, printing and photography. The importance of drawing underpins everything that goes on in the Department and all year groups keep sketchbooks to research, record and experiment with their ideas.

Our large examination groups are able to specialise in the areas in which they feel most confident and the growing numbers of GCSE, A/S and ‘A’ level candidates reflect the senior school’s enthusiasm, commitment to and enjoyment of the subject.

In addition to these examinations, further courses at A/S and ‘A’ level in Textiles and Photography enable pupils to study the subject in much greater detail.

Public examination results are outstanding and the high grade pass rate at GCSE, A/S and ‘A’ level across the subject is consistently above 98%.

All our classes make appropriate visits to exhibitions and galleries and study tours to Europe are made each year by the Sixth Form to enhance the quality of their coursework and develop critical awareness. Recent visits include Madrid, Barcelona, Venice, Nice, Paris, Rome and Florence.

Art Scholarships are awarded on the strength of a short still life drawing examination and the quality of the candidate’s portfolio. As well as including examples of ongoing school work, this should contain evidence of work produced from their own genuine interest in the subject and produced in any way the candidate chooses.

Mr P. Norgrove
(Head of Art)