Visual Arts
Bancroft’s Art department consists of three members of teaching staff, supported by a skilled technician. All staff in the department are highly trained experts in their own field with the flexibility to teach across all disciplines.
The department’s objectives are to make art meaningful, enjoyable and accessible to all. We provide a unique means of self-expression whilst promoting the confidence and desire to produce work of quality. Practical demonstrations are central to the teaching providing an effective means of introducing new skills and techniques whilst generating confidence.
The purpose-built Lyons Centre houses three main art studios which, due to their abundance of space and natural light, are ideal for drawing (including life drawing at A-Level and at GCSE for selected students), painting, printing, 3D design and textile work.
“The teachers are always enthusiastic and open to ideas you have and strive to help you fulfil them. There is a wide variety of equipment, from a printing press to a kiln, meaning there are few limits to what you can create.”
Abby, Upper Sixth (year 13)
We teach a wide range of art related disciplines to pupils in the Thirds, Removes and Lower Fourths (years 7, 8 and 9) including drawing, painting, printmaking and 3D relief work.
Art work by pupils is displayed prominently throughout the School where it is admired by all. At the end of the summer term the department holds an annual end of year “Showcase Exhibition” for our A level and GCSE exam students.
The art department values the importance of educational visits to enrich and enhance pupils’ learning. The department arranges visits to national collections for GCSE and A Level students, tours at the Warner Bros Harry Potter studios as well as international trips to Madrid, Paris, Rome, Florence and Japan. Throughout the year, a selection of guest speakers are invited to talk about a range of subjects, such as art history, architecture, film, fashion and graphic design.
The art department also organises a variety of art based co-curricular activities which can be enjoyed by all pupils. We encourage sixth formers to enter the illustrious ARTiculation prize, and in the past Bancroftians have reached the finals and semi-finals. To promote the work of our pupils, we regularly enter competitions,.
Many Bancroftians have progressed to further and higher education in art related subjects at prestigious art institutions. Over the two years at A Level, pupils generate a body of work which will go towards a portfolio of work in preparation for interviews. Students have proceeded to study foundation art and design at Central Saint Martins, Camberwell College of Arts, The Royal Drawing School and Loughborough University; architecture at Cambridge, The Bartlett and Manchester and design engineering at Oxford.
