St Mary's School Calne

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Why Choose St Mary's?

The Art School

ImageOur aim is to cultivate girls’ enthusiasm and curiosity for the visual world. From early on, emphasis is on the individual and girls are encouraged to stretch themselves, bringing their own experiences into their work.

The Art School is staffed by three teachers, all of whom are practising artists, and the department is housed in purpose-built studios, with specialist facilities for ceramics and printmaking. UVI Form girls have a studio of their own.

Art making extends far beyond the curriculum. The Art School is open during evenings and weekends and there is a wide a range of activities on offer. Girls regularly design the sets for all major school productions and in recent years have involved themselves in a multitude of projects such as murals, competitions and installations.

ImageLower School Curriculum

The Lower School course is intended to acquaint girls with a breadth of techniques and to build a solid foundation for GCSE. The LIV Form focus is on Colour and Form. This is reinforced in the MIV Form through themed 2D and 3D projects. In the UIV Form observational skills are extended and girls are introduced to working with textiles.

ImageLIV Form girls also work on a group 3D project - most recently, life-sized acrobats or giant sea creatures! Working collaboratively is not only great fun but encourages team building within the Form.

ImageGCSE

Art is a very popular option at GCSE. Girls work on four themed projects and explore Painting, Printmaking and Sculpture before specialising in the UV Form. The emphasis is on creative development; girls learn the importance of sketchbook preparation before resolving their ideas in a final exhibition.

ImageAS and A Level

Art is a very popular AS and A Level option as a complement to a range of subjects. The first part of the AS Level course is taught through set projects and girls also receive weekly instruction in life-drawing.  The A Level course is more self-directed; by then, girls have cultivated their own interests and receive individual support to help realise their intentions.

Girls regularly choose to pursue Art beyond A Level and in recent years have gained entry to a number of prominent art schools. 

We follow the OCR specification for Fine Art at both GCSE, AS and A Level.

Miss Stephanie Seville (Director of Art)