Curriculum: Art

The Art curriculum at St. Ambrose seeks to inspire all pupils to achieve their full potential in drawing, painting, printing and clay modelling.  We do this by making the subject exciting and fun in order to fill the boys with the wonder of creativity.  The boys’ work is always valued rather than criticised in order to build their confidence and self-esteem.

In the 2011 school inspection report the following comments were made:

‘Boys’ creativity is developed extremely well, as seen in their high quality art and design work.’

‘Pupils enjoy the beauty of art and music and explore their creativity and imagination through a broad range of visual, tactile and sensory experiences and the colourful displays of their high quality art work around the school.’

Our art displays are always of the highest standard and reflect the excellent work of all our pupils.  In 2011 we held our first whole school Art Exhibition of all of the boys’ work to which parents, relatives and friends were invited.  This year we have registered for the Prince’s Foundation Diamond Jubilee self—portrait project called ‘Face Britain.’  Every boy will have the opportunity to participate in this project by submitting a self-portrait.

As well as teaching essential practical skills the curriculum also gives the boys an appreciation of art.  We do this by exposing them to the work of different artists such as Picasso, Monet, Kandinsky, Lowry and Hockney and to the art of different countries such as Mexico and Egypt.  The boys work individually, in pairs and in small and large groups.