Art and design stimulates creativity and imagination. It provides visual, tactile and sensory experiences and a unique way of understanding and responding to the world.

At The Beacon pupils use colour, form, texture, pattern and different materials and processes to communicate what they see, feel and think. Through art and design activities, they learn to make informed judgements and aesthetic and practical decisions, becoming actively involved in shaping environments. They explore ideas and meanings in the work of artists, craftspeople and designers. They learn about the diverse roles and functions of art, craft and design in contemporary life, and in different times and cultures.

Art in the Pre-Prep is taught in the classroom by the class teachers. A wide range of skills is offered to ensure that the children enjoy art and so that they have positive attitude and develop confidence in their own abilities. Much of the work is thematically based to reflect and support the work being done in other subjects.

Art in the Prep school is taught in a large purpose built studio. Opportunities are provided for using a wide range of materials and equipment. The studio has five pottery wheels and a kiln to encourage the use of ceramics; digital cameras and computers to enable work to be digitially recorded and manipulated; access to the Internet for research purposes; and the general resources to explore and develop ideas for independent work, and to discuss and critically evaluate their own and others' work.

Art is taught by specialised art teachers and is guided by the requirements of the National Curriculum. We aim to provide a wide, varied and enjoyable curriculum in which a boy will discover his strengths and learn to become an independent artist exploring a range of starting points for practical work.

Hugh Pearson
Head of Art