Head of Department: Dave Bater

Deputy Head of Department: Catriona Walker

Members of department:

• Mike Burns
• Andrew Cooper
• Dwynwen Davies
• Marie Fullerton
• Tina Gregoriou
• Sarah Peathey-Johns
• Technician: Christine Swaby

The Art Department at Morpeth School has a long tradition of success and has an excellent reputation throughout London Art Departments. This success is based on providing pupils with a rational and balanced programme of work throughout their art course.

The department offers a wide range of art-making activities with the main emphasis on direct observation – looking selecting, recording and learning and understanding through the experience of art processes.

Course structure

Through Years 7-9, pupils are able to gain experience in the use of a variety of different materials through the practices of:

• drawing
• painting
• printmaking
• design
• sculpture

Basic skills are developed through these practices and homework is used to extend/reinforce these skills. Critical/Historical studies are an important element in all areas of the course.

In Years 10 and 11 the department offers two areas of study – Art and Photography. Both are well supported by pupils who consistently achieve outstanding GCSE examination success.

The rooms of the department are very important. As well as containing equipment bases and materials, they are interesting and stimulating places in which to work. They are full of objects, both natural and manufactured, which are often used as starting points for projects. The local area is also an important resource for the department and pupils are often taken out to work on location. The course gives pupils the confidence to record and express their ideas through the language of Art.

Portman Gallery

The gallery is based in the foyer of the Portman building and is for bringing the contemporary visual arts world into the curriculum of Morpeth. More information on the gallery go to portmangallery.blogspot.com/