Staff Cricket: King's Cavaliers vs All Hallows Cranes (H)
A Broad and Inspiring Curriculum
We offer the overarching qualification of Art, Craft & Design, a programme that allows pupils to experiment across a wide range of disciplines, including Fine Art, Three-Dimensional Design, Graphic Design, Digital Media, Textiles and Critical & Contextual Studies. Alongside this, pupils can study History of Art at A Level, an academically rich subject in which King’s has achieved exceptional results.
In the 3rd Form, pupils begin with a foundation year that introduces them to the full breadth of creative possibilities. With class sizes capped at ten, pupils benefit from focused teaching, individual support, and the freedom to explore ideas in meaningful depth. Many choose to continue to GCSE, enriched by visits to inspiring locations such as Roche Court, Hauser & Wirth, leading London galleries, and an annual three-day trip to St Ives.
Learning in Art extends far beyond the studio. Visiting artists frequently run workshops, offering pupils the chance to learn from professionals and gain insight into artistic careers. We warmly encourage visitors to tour our facilities and meet the team when visiting the School.
Inspirational Teaching
Our Art teachers are practising artists in their own right—enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to helping pupils flourish. Their professional practice brings authenticity, empathy, and fresh insight into the classroom. Rather than relying on pre‑written schemes, the Department creates bespoke syllabi tailored to each group, constantly refining content to support different strengths and ambitions.
In the Sixth Form, each class benefits from two specialist teachers, ensuring personalised guidance as pupils refine their ideas, extend their skills, and prepare portfolios for university or creative careers. This environment encourages independence, initiative, and a willingness to take creative risks.
At King’s we review and refresh our content continually responding to the needs and potential of each cohort. This is what makes the Art Department such a dynamic environment in which to teach and to learn.
At present we teach across the Endorsements of Fine Art, Graphic Communication, Three Dimensional Design, Photography and Textiles. As pupils progress they are able to lean towards specialist areas of interest.
At King’s we offer Life Classes as a means of establishing confidence in drawing and observation and a structured programme in the L6th Form exploring the Formal Elements of Art and Design.
We continue to teach across the Endorsements of Fine Art, Graphic Communication, Three Dimensional Design, Photography and Textiles. Pupils at this level will show particular strengths in one or more of the endorsements.
The L6th Form element of this course involves a whistle stop tour of Art History from the origins of humankind to the present day.
This also explores art within historical, social and technological context. Gallery visits are an important element of the course. The U6th Form sees pupils identifying specific areas of interest and undertaking more independent study. In addition, the ways in which galleries and museums present work and interact with their visitors is explored, with pupils creating their own virtual exhibition based upon their area of research.
A Level History of Art Specification (H606 - Critical & Contextual Studies)
The Art Department comprises five dedicated studios:
We also have our own in‑house gallery, where pupils’ work is showcased throughout the year. Each autumn, the Department exhibits as part of Somerset Art Weeks, giving pupils the experience of presenting work in a public, professional context.
