The Arts

At Buckswood School, our arts curriculum is meticulously structured to nurture creativity from junior levels through to senior school. Starting in the junior years, students engage in art, craft, and design, undertaking an annual graphics project designed to enhance their understanding of various mediums, technical skills, and artistic practices observed around the world. These students maintain sketchbooks in a method similar to that of GCSE students, with a push for additional independent work encouraged from as early as Form 1.

By KS4, students have the option to specialise in subjects like Art, Craft and Design, or Graphic Communication as part of their GCSEs. The Art, Craft and Design course covers Fine-art, Graphic Communication, Three-Dimensional Design, Textiles, and Photography, requiring students to work across at least two of these areas. Graphic Communication specifically delves into typography, logos, graphic illustration, advertising, and graphic products. After completing a portfolio of set work, students undertake a major project of their own choosing in their preferred areas.

For KS5 students, we offer IB Visual Arts and A Levels in Art, Craft and Design, and Photography. Similar to KS4, these courses involve comprehensive study areas and a requirement to produce a 3000-word essay for their Personal Investigation project on a student-selected topic, culminating in an externally set assignment. Our Visual Arts department benefits from experienced tutors who have professional backgrounds in various art and design fields, providing a supportive, encouraging environment. This strong foundation often leads our students to pursue higher education in diverse art and design fields at top universities, ranging from architecture to fashion.