The Art and Photography Dept.
Artistic Ardingly
Ardingly Art Department is a vital and energetic centre of creativity. It’s an environment where individuality is encouraged and the confidence and freedom to express ideas are fostered, through a strong base of artistic skill.
Deeply individualised teaching and one-to-one encouragement ensures that students discover their forte and develop it as vigorously as possible.
Art for All
As part of the Enrichment Programme, students can partake in art activities and we encourage every child to enter a submission for the Whole School Art Exhibition.
Art and Photography in the Curriculum
Students can choose to study Art at GCSE, A Level and IB Level. Photography is also offered at A Level.
The Art Facilities
The Art Department is housed in a light and spacious wing of the College. It has a gallery area and two multi-purpose teaching spaces; a new state-of-the-art photographic studio and teaching room; a large scale printmaking and textile room; a brand new darkroom and our double kiln room for ceramic works. All forms of media can be accommodated and taught at Ardingly.
We encourage all students to discover their personal strengths and offer the following techniques through our individually focused teaching:
- Painting – acrylic, oil, watercolour, mixed media
- Printing – lino, silk screen, mono print, etching, calligraphy
- Textiles – machine and hand stitch, repeat print, fashion, construction
- Sculpture – figurative, abstract, ceramics, casting, slab, coil, pots, tiles
- Drawing – life class, charcoal, graphite, ink, line, mixed media
- ICT – photographic manipulation, stop frame animation, stills.
Enrichment Trips
The Art Department take annual gallery visits, both in the UK and overseas, including Venice, Paris, New York, Barcelona, Berlin and Amsterdam.
Outstanding Results – GCSEs 100% A/A*
Our results have been exemplary, growing stronger annually and reaching the highest level nationally.
Exhibitions, Awards and University Destinations
Art is highly respected at Ardingly College. The Department hosts an annual Whole School Exhibition, setting a theme for students from Reception to Upper Sixth. We have won prizes from The Royal Academy Online Student Art Competition, for ceramic work at The Young Craftsman of the Year competition and for film from The New York Film School. Ardinians have gone on to study at Central Saint Martins, Brighton, Kingston, Falmouth, London College of Fashion, and Camberwell Art College, to name but a few.
“This year in the art department, boys have been drawing in virtual reality…..Exciting resources like this show the value the school places on creativity”.
Tatler 2020
