Year 10 GCSE Photography students have been working incredibly hard on their portrait project inspired by the artist, Loui Jover. As part of the project, students planned and carried out photo shoots with their friends, carefully considering composition, lighting and expression to create striking portrait images.

After capturing their photographs, students developed their editing skills in Photoshop, experimenting with contrast, tone and creative effects to enhance their final images. To add even more individuality and creativity, they then used acrylic pens to draw over the prints, bringing each portrait to life with bold colours, patterns, and personal touches.

The results have been absolutely fantastic. Every student has shown great creativity, patience and determination throughout the project. It has been wonderful to see their confidence and artistic styles grow. Their hard work and enthusiasm have produced a collection of unique and expressive portraits that they should all be very proud of.

Mrs Mitchell

Head of Art, Photography & Design & Technology

Year 8 students have had great fun in their art lessons this term. They have been creating observational drawings of cupcakes on sugar paper using oil pastels. The drawing was inspired by the colourful artwork of Wayne Thiebaud and students experimented with using exaggerated colours in a similar style.

The classes have produced some beautiful observational studies, carefully looking at the shapes, textures and details of the cakes. Some students also explored how to create strong shadows like Wayne Thiebaud, giving their drawings a bold and dramatic effect.

A number of students photographed the cupcakes using DSLR cameras, experimenting with lighting and composition to capture the shadows and colours. It has been a lovely and creative project and the students should be very proud of their work.

Mrs Mitchell

Head of Art, Photography & Design & Technology

Year 7 have been learning about the artist, Heather Knight as part of their sea-themed project. Inspired by coral forms and Knight’s ceramic work, students created their own clay pieces using the pinch pot technique. They also practiced important clay skills such as attaching one piece of clay to another to build their compositions. As you can see, their clay creations are imaginative and full of interesting textures and forms. I am looking forward to seeing these pieces once they have been painted.

Mrs Mitchell, Head of Art, Photography & Design & Technology

Why choose GCSE Art and Design or GCSE Photography?

If students enjoy being creative, want to increase practical skills and improve analytical, communication and research abilities, art and design or photography is a great choice. The skills you gain make it a great complement to other subjects. Art and Design  and Photography is a way of seeing things and making sense of the world around you. It can help you with further study and prepare you for the world of work.

GCSE Art & Photography offers students a unique opportunity to explore their creativity, develop powerful visual communication skills, and build confidence through hands‑on experimentation. Whether sketching, painting, working digitally, or capturing the world through a lens, pupils learn to express ideas, solve problems creatively, and refine technical abilities that are valued far beyond the art studio. This option opens doors to an exciting range of future career paths—including architecture, graphic design, photography, interior design, fashion, animation, product design, marketing, film and media, illustration, and many emerging creative‑tech roles. It’s an ideal choice for any student who enjoys thinking visually, working independently, and discovering new ways to interpret the world—while building a vibrant portfolio they can be proud of.

We are so proud!

Our Year 11 students have recently had their Art and Photography coursework reviewed, and we are incredibly proud of the outstanding progress they have made. Across both subjects, their visual communication skills have matured beautifully, with students demonstrating increased confidence, creativity, and technical refinement in their portfolios. The dedication they have shown throughout the coursework component is clear in the quality and ambition of their work. As we move into January, both courses will begin the Externally Set Assignment, which makes up 40% of the final GCSE grade. We are excited to see how our students continue to grow as young artists and photographers, and we look forward to supporting them through this next and very rewarding stage of their journey. In July we will proudly display their work in our annual Art Exhibition, to which all are welcome.

Good luck everyone!

Mrs Gerrard

Teacher of Art