Art (and History of Art)

More detail can be found about all of our academic faculties under the Curriculum sections of our website that cover the Third Form Curriculum, the Fourth Form Curriculum (leading up to GCSE) and the Sixth Form Curriculum.

The Art Department gives pupils the opportunity to practise or study a deeply rewarding subject – a subject which will take them far beyond the narrow confines of any exam specification, and that will in time become an interest for life.

We teach, from entry level, a traditional approach to art and boys are given a strong grounding in the basic skills of observational drawing (which includes weekend life-drawing classes). These skills provide the basis for individual creative development in the Sixth Form where pupils can choose between four separate Art A Levels – Painting and Drawing, Ceramics, Photography, and History of Art.

As pupils develop as creative individuals they will be exposed to a wide range of art from the beginnings of recorded history through to the present day. We offer a full programme of trips – from a yearly visit to Glasgow to study the architecture and design of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, to the main galleries and museums in London, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Cardiff – and an annual trip abroad to Europe or North America.

The Art School is centrally located on the school site and is a wonderful building with many large and light studio spaces and two galleries for exhibitions of pupils’ work and a continual programme of exhibitions by professional artists, local and national.

The da Vinci Society

The da Vinci Society regularly hosts visiting speakers from all walks of the visual arts - architects, artists, photographers, art historians, museum curators, advertising executives, gallery owners - all successful practicioners in their fields and oftern representing the best in contemporary visual culture.

All talks are held in the Art School lecture room and two boys/girls from the UVI each year are appointed as Presidents of the Society, whose role is to introduce and thank our speakers and help entertain them over dinner afterwards. At each dinner a different group of Sixth Formers are invited to enjoy a convivial meal and an opportunity to discuss the arts further.
 
Recent speakers include Sir Hugh Roberts, Keeper of the Queens Pictures and Works of Art, Martin Parr - one of the most successful photographers alive, and Dr Paul Taylor (OS), Deputy Keeper of Photography at the Warburg Institute, London.

A Level Results – History of Art

A Level Results – Art (Fine Art)

A Level Results – Art (Ceramics)

A Level Results – Photography 

GCSE Results – Art