The IB Visual Arts course is very much about continuing to learn how to create. Through a taught programme full of new experiences, media and techniques, pupils generate their own ideas, substantiated against concepts and practice of other artists, and conclude by curating their own exhibition.
The quality of teaching and experiences does not differ between the Higher and Standard Level courses, but Standard Level has fewer lessons and pupils will not be expected to deliver the same number of pieces as Higher Level candidates. Initially work follows a themed project and teaching explores the diverse nature of art through a variety of experiences and cultures. In the second year, pupils work to produce their own projects that form the basis of their final assessment, most of which will become their final exhibition.
There are three field trips, one of which is a residential that usually takes place abroad; recent locations have included Antwerp, Brussels, Berlin, Venice and Edinburgh. These trips provide an essential opportunity for pupils to gain first-hand experience of studying artwork and develop an understanding of what they value as artists and why.
Our pupils go on to the best universities to study a range of disciplines from fine art, film, photography and illustration to architecture, automotive design and product design.
