Art at The King Alfred School

"Man cannot master the world until he has learned to master himself. How can he achieve this when he does not even know what he possesses, what his abilities and capacities are?"   Lazslo Moholy-Nagy, Bauhaus artist.

"All our knowledge has its origins in our perceptions."  Leonardo da Vinci.

Art is a subject that comes out of the individual rather than out of a syllabus. For many children it is a subject that can tap into something real and personal in their lives. In Art at The King Alfred School our aim is to nurture in each individual that capacity to look and think for themselves. Whether they are drawing carefully from observation, making wire sculpture, visiting a gallery, or working in a group in a workshop there is something for every child.

Our aim is to encourage children to be curious about the world they live in, to look at it with fresh eyes and to develop their ability to think and act creatively. Not everyone will become an artist, but every child will have the opportunity to develop and build their confidence in their imagination, to think critically and to make work that stems from their thoughts and observations. We give all students a sketchbook and expect them to keep and maintain it, developing into a record of their experiences.

The Art department comprises 3 full time specialist art teachers, a full time photography teacher and 2 part time technicians. We can offer a wide range of specialisms within the art and design spectrum and are always looking to expand the range of disciplines and techniques available to students. The art rooms are spacious and well equipped.

Class sizes are approximately 16 in Middle School and between 8-12 further up the school. This enables a personalised approach to learning, encouraging confident and responsible learners. Teachers work to support students’ strengths and weaknesses, engaging them as individuals. The atmosphere is supportive, relaxed and friendly.

"People ask me, 'Don't you ever run out of ideas?' In the first place I don't use ideas. Every time I have an idea it's too limiting, and usually turns out to be a disappointment. But I haven't run out of curiosity."   Robert Rauschenberg