Casterton School Art Department welcomes all students whether they aim to make art their career or see it as part of their wider education. As the technological revolution moves us into an increasingly image based society we want to make our students visually literate individuals whatever their chosen path in life. We aim to inspire students with a love of art that will enrich all they do. We believe passionately in the unique creativity that is within each individual and aim to give our students the skills and confidence to express original ideas.
The Department occupies a stunning purpose-built building with six spacious studios that are available to students seven days a week until 9pm at night and are supervised most days until tea at 5.30pm and at the weekend. All examination students get an individual exhibition space to display their work at the end of their course. Girls are welcomed to activities after school and on Saturdays. At the end of each school year we stage a fashion show to showcase the creativity of the past three terms to friends and family.
We are delighted to be able to offer a wide range of disciplines with specialist teachers in art history, fashion and textiles, ceramics and glass, illustration, print, painting and drawing. Girls are encouraged to take a thoughtful and experimental approach to their work, but all projects are underpinned with drawing from primary sources and a high level of craft skills. Visiting artists are regularly welcomed to give workshops and we are joined each year by Sally Payne, an ex-Glasgow School of Art tutor to teach life drawing.
The Department offers GCSE Art and Design (Unendorsed) and GCSE Art and Design (Textiles). At AS and A2 level we offer Art and Design: Fine Art; Art and Design; Textiles and History of Art and Architecture.
Casterton art students always aim high and in the past five years students have gained places on the most prestigious courses in the UK. Girls have regularly progressed to Central St Martins School of Art, Chelsea College of Art, Camberwell College of Art and Design and the London College of Fashion.
Architecture is a popular course and recently girls have entered courses at The Bartlett School of Architecture UCL, Newcastle University and Central St Martins. Many students use their Art A level to gain entrance to a wide range of other university courses.
