Art at KGS is a highly valued and vibrant part of the curriculum. With our bright, well-equipped studios and enthusiastic and knowledgeable teachers, we strive to produce an exciting and creative atmosphere that encourages students to feel confident in both their ideas and their abilities. We aim to ensure that students experience enjoyment, inspiration and success in the studio and appreciate the study of Art as an important part of their education.
Each year our students achieve outstanding results at both GCSE and A Level, with our annual Summer Art Exhibition being one of the highlights of the school calendar and a wonderful opportunity to showcase the extraordinary talent we have at KGS.
Creativity takes courage
Henri Matisse
We are fortunate to have two exhibition spaces for displaying students’ work, with one, The Baxter Gallery, being visible to the general public and being instrumental in raising further the excellent reputation that Art at Kingston Grammar School enjoys.
Each year several students go on to study Architecture, History of Art or Art & Design Foundation courses at prestigious universities and art schools in London and across the country.
The First to Third Year Art curriculum is designed to help students develop a broad range of technical skills to enable them to express ideas creatively and with confidence. They learn how to draw, paint, produce prints, model in clay and how to use ICT to both produce art and to research projects. They are taught how to appreciate and decipher the work of others and to develop a critical understanding of what art might mean in various contexts.
GCSE
Students study the AQA Fine Art course which enables them to explore a range of traditional and contemporary techniques whilst further developing their knowledge and understanding of art from different times and cultures. The students are shown how to work independently and are encouraged to explore personal ideas with their project work. They produce a portfolio of coursework and, in the Summer term of the Fifth Year, a practical project based on a range of themes set by the examination board.
A Level
Sixth Form students follow AQA’s two-year Fine Art course leading to an A Level qualification. During the course they will have the opportunity to learn various new techniques such as photography, etching, screen printing and film-making. There is a programme of regular gallery visits via the KGS Art Society Students produce a portfolio of work that many use for gaining entry onto Art & Design Foundation courses at the country’s most prestigious Art Schools.
Art A Level Course guide
Co-Curricular
The Junior Art Clubs offer a chance for very keen artists from the First, Second and Third Year to extend their classroom learning by tackling exciting, stand-alone projects that introduce them to new artists, ideas and techniques.
Each year, the House Art competition provides an opportunity for younger students to work collaboratively with Sixth Form artists in producing a large art piece in response to a set theme. Older students enjoy Open Studio which allows them to use the facilities at lunchtimes and after school to produce artwork of the highest standard.
We are extremely proud of the artwork our students produce and take every opportunity to show it to as wide an audience as possible.
Art information booklet
Staff
- Head of Art, Mr J Dyson
- Teacher of Art, Mrs J Barkey
- Head of Walworth; Teacher of Art, Mrs R Wakely
- Teacher of Art, Miss S Christie (maternity leave)
- Teacher of Art, Miss C Duddy (maternity cover)
- Art Technician, Mr G Garcia
