Art
Art, Craft & Design at Godolphin
At Godolphin, the Art, Craft & Design Department provides a stimulating and intellectually vibrant environment where pupils can develop artistic skills, critical judgment, and creative thinking. We provide a disciplined yet friendly atmosphere, encouraging all pupils to surpass their potential and achieve excellence.
Our department is a hub of creativity within the school community, offering vibrant studio spaces for pupils, staff, parents, and visitors to explore and express their creativity. We are proud of our achievements, with an impressive track record of success in exams and national competitions.
Educational Visits
We believe in taking learning beyond the studio walls. Our pupils regularly experience the work of artists, designers, and craftspeople firsthand through educational visits or by welcoming practitioners into our studios to lead inspiring workshops.
We organise trips to local, national, and international museums and galleries, aligning these visits with pupils' projects or using them to spark new ideas. Highlights include:
International Trips: Our Godolphin Sixth pupils explore the museums and galleries of Paris and Florence with past trips to Berlin, Amsterdam and Prague
Residential Courses: Lower Sixth pupils embark on annual residential trips to Cornwall or Liverpool, fostering research and creativity for their AS coursework.
London Visits: Regular trips to iconic institutions like Tate Modern, The Royal Academy, The National Gallery, and The Victoria and Albert Museum.
Outside London: Visits include: The Pitt Rivers Museum Oxford, The Ashmolean Museum Oxford, The Holbourne Museum Bath, The American Museum Bath, The Bath Museum of Costume, The City of Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, The Cass Foundation Chichester, The Russell Coates Museum Bournemouth and The Henry Moore Foundation Perry Green.
Local Museums and Galleries: We support venues like Salisbury City Museum, Roche Court New Arts Centre, Devizes Museum, Andover Museum, and local arts trails such as the Wylye Valley and Salisbury Arts Trails.
These experiences provide invaluable inspiration and insight, encouraging pupils to engage deeply with the world of art and design.
Activities
The Art & Design Department is alive with creativity throughout the day and into the evening. While curricular lessons run from 8:00 am to 3:45 pm, the department truly comes alive during after-school sessions from 4:10 pm to 6:45 pm. During this time, pupils have access to studios and specialist equipment, guided by practicing artists and expert teachers.
These sessions cater to a wide range of interests and abilities:
Junior Activities: Textile design, ceramics, sculpture, stage design, painting, puppetry, carnival design, and more.
Senior Activities: Life drawing, dressmaking, ceramics, printmaking, photography, and advanced painting and sculpture.
Activities change termly based on staff expertise and pupil requests. Once signed up, pupils commit to their chosen activity for the term, ensuring a focused and enriching experience.
Weekend Opportunities
On weekends, the department offers extended classes and workshops, often led by visiting artists. These sessions provide time for pupils to complete portfolios or create more polished, finished pieces in a relaxed and focused environment.
At Godolphin, we believe the creative process is as important as the finished product. The Art, Craft & Design Department provides a space where pupils can unwind, explore their creativity, and produce inspiring work in a supportive and dynamic setting.