CREATIVE ARTS
Enter Frensham's Art & Design Centre and be captivated. It's more than just exceptional facilities - it's a celebration of every student's unique creative journey. Here, courage meets craft, and individual expression thrives.
OUR CREATIVE ARTS CURRICULUM
Step into Frensham's Art & Design Centre and prepare to be inspired. Beyond the state-of-the-art facilities, you'll discover a vibrant tapestry of student creativity. Here, every voice is celebrated, showcasing a diverse and often thought-provoking range of work. This isn't about following a formula; it's about fostering the courage to explore, experiment, and discover a unique artistic path.
From Nursery onwards, art is a journey of discovery. Early years ignite a passion for creativity, laying the foundation for our comprehensive curriculum in Years 7-9, where students dedicate six hours weekly to 2D, Ceramics and Design & Technology.
At the heart of our approach lies drawing, investigation, and exploration. We cultivate a spirit of enthusiasm and the courage to embrace the creative process, building confidence and self-esteem. Our ultimate aim is to empower students to find and value their own creative voice, fostering a culture of open discussion and mutual appreciation.
“WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON OUR CREATIVE EDUCATION, BUT THAT IS NOT JUST WITHIN THE CREATIVE ARTS. A CREATIVE APPROACH PERMEATES EVERYTHING
WE DO HERE
AT FRENSHAM.”
FINDING THEIR OWN CREATIVE VOICE
Our primary aspiration is for our students to have the willingness and the courage to find their own creative voice – and once they have, to see the value in that. An important part of our classes throughout is discussion - coming together to talk about their experiences, to learn to value their own work and the work of others.
After a solid foundation in the preceding years, expectations step up in the GCSE years. We offer a wide range of Creative Arts options including Fine Arts, Graphic Communication, 3D Design and Photography. The students really start to develop a sense of ownership of intention and meaning. This means accepting responsibility for making decisions about the creative direction their work takes. What are they interested in? What do they wish to explore? What are they trying to say? What is the purpose of what they are doing? This is key.
Moving up to A-Level and our offering is not dissimilar to some art foundation courses. In Fine Art and Graphics, students have their own space within the A-Level studio for the entire duration of their course, while students of 3D Design and Photography can readily access workshops and studios outside of their scheduled lessons. Class sizes are small. This facilitates the sharing of ideas, not just through dialogue with teachers but between students as well.
From the youngest through to the Sixth Form leavers, our aim is to help each child have the courage to find their own creative voice. By the time they leave us, we want them to be ‘driving the bus’, if you like, while a teacher can in a sense take a seat at the back, encourage students to pull over and pick up an artist or two, speed up at times or slow down a bit, take your time, enjoy the scenery. Don’t obsess about destination and forget to enjoy the journey! Teachers bring a deep understanding and passion for what they do, but their goal is not just to share knowledge and technique, but also support and inspire an attitude of mind, a growth mindset, inspired and ambitious, individual and personal.
OUR ANNUAL EXHIBITIONS
SURREY ARTISTS OPEN STUDIOS
Unlock your creative spark this June! We're thrilled to invite you to a vibrant celebration of art as part of the Surrey Artists Open Studios this June. Immerse yourself in our captivating A Level Art Exhibition, where the raw talent of our students takes center stage. Meet the passionate educators who ignite their creativity, and dive into hands-on workshops that reveal the magic behind our innovative teaching methods and state-of-the-art facilities. Prepare to be inspired!
