Art and Design

Welcome to the Boswells School Art department!

As part of our acclaimed performing and visual arts faculty, we are a passionate and welcoming department that will develop student’s practical and analytical skills and foster the ability for personal expression within their art journey. We firmly believe that art builds skills not only in the visual field but in confidence, decision making,  critical thinking and perseverance and allows for self-expression and self-discovery.

We have a fantastic team of teaching staff with a broad range of skills across fine art, ceramics, textiles and fashion who will guide and inspire students to reach their artistic potential across all year groups and stages in their school life, whether they see the arts as a career destination or as a creative outlet and hobby.

KS3

Key Stage 3 Art and Design builds foundational technical skills in drawing, painting and sculpture, with a strong focus on the formal elements (line, tone, texture, colour). Students analyse a range of artists and cultures to develop critical thinking, creative experimentation, and personal expression through sketchbooks and loose portfolio, preparing them for GCSE study. 

In Year 7 students have one lesson a week throughout the year.  Year 8 and 9 students rotate around the creative art subjects and have two lessons a week for half a term. 

Popular with students, they have the opportunity to attend extra-curricular clubs throughout Year 7.8 and 9, this might be set and prop making for the school shows, clay work or exploring different mediums and techniques. 

KS4

Students who are passionate and committed to studying Art can continue at GCSE level.  This two-year course allows students to develop their skills through set projects exploring Fine Art and Three-Dimensional Design disciplines. 

Within Year 10 students cover two projects, Still Life and Identity, focusing on creative and technical skills.  Students will produce a portfolio of 2D and 3D work as well as analysing artists and their own work.

In the Autumn term of Year 11, students complete a mock exam project using a past exam paper. This then prepares students for their actual exam project in the Spring term of Year 11, which culminates in a 10-hour exam where students create their final pieces.

Art rooms are available for students to use at lunchtimes and after school to seek support from staff or access materials for classwork and homework.

The UK’s creative industries are a fast-growing career sector, and this course is the first step in preparing students for a creative career in architecture, gaming, branding, or product design, to name a few. Art careers are vast, but this course also allows students to build transferable skills such as resilience, independent thinking, and the ability to solve problems “outside the box”.

If your child is considering GCSE Art and has further questions, they are welcome to speak to Miss Armstrong, Head of Art or email SAG@boswells-school.com

KS5: A Level Art 

The A Level Fine Art Course allows students the time and independence to develop their own artistic practice.

Students begin with a series of skill building workshops to challenge, develop and expand their use of mediums and techniques. They use these skills to document a journey of their chosen area of study.

Students will develop their language and visual ability to critique artists work, enabling a deeper understanding of contextual art in the wider world and in relation to their own style.

In year 13, they will complete their self-directed pieces and prepare for a final exam, which they will respond to using the skills and techniques they have learnt on the course.

A level students benefit from a dedicated 6th form art area available for private study and allowing them their own space to develop, store and display their work.

The A-level Fine Art course gives students a strong portfolio for their next steps and prepares them for a career in the Arts.

Entry requirements

General school 6th form admission requirements include a grade 6+ in Art at GCSE.

If you have not studied GCSE Art, we will require a portfolio of work to demonstrate your suitability for the course. Please contact Ms Glynn at egn@boswells-school.com, for guidance on a portfolio submission.