The team consists of Harriet Thody BA, Curriculum Team Leader; James
Gummett BA and Eric Short MA.
The department uses four art studios, one solely for A/S and A2 students
and three general purpose art studios. There is a darkroom fully
equipped with five enlargers, a ceramic area including potters' wheels and
pugmills, facilities for batik, various printmaking techniques and general
3D techniques.
The department has flourishing community links with art work displayed in
several community buildings. The Meeting House Ilminster is also used for
small exhibitions during the academic year. Contextual and critical
studies allow visits to London and Bristol galleries during the academic
year and sixth form students also participate in visits to a European
centre, Rome or Florence, each year.
The department's aim is to provide opportunity for students to make all
kinds of art and to meet the challenge of exam courses. Provision is made
to develop creative intelligence in both expressive and designerly
approaches using the visual and tactile.
Key Stage 3 courses are very successful with students in year nine
completing their course with, on average, a 5/6 level statement. The
department's scheme of work was seen to be exemplary during an OfStEd
inspection. Termly topics are used to cover the programmes of study
required by the National Curriculum and are interpreted individually by
each member of the art and design team.
GCSE courses follow AQA Applied Art and Design (double award) or an
Unendorsed award. During the last academic year the A-C pass-rate was
over 90%. The unendorsed route uses a 'modular' course structure.
A/S and A2 have always been in demand and the department uses the Fine Art
route of the Edexcel syllabus. The pass-rate is always successful with
an average 'C' grade obtained. Numerous students have have gone on to
gain a degree or diploma in Art or related studies in various colleges in
England and Wales.
Below are examples of some of the Art work created by Holyrood students of
various ages and ability.
