Art teachers from a wide selection of our feeder schools came together this week to experience a day of specialist art training from art teachers, all of whom are practising artists, in our Art School.
We have run the one-day ‘Art Inset’ course for several years now and it has grown hugely in popularity; not only does the day provide art teachers with advice, ideas and practical experience, but also the opportunity to network and share best practice – all of which are instrumental in ensuring pupils are equipped and prepared for when they start studying art at the next level.
The day kicked off with all-important introductions over coffee, following which delegates attended a portrait sculpture workshop led by our sculpture teacher, Mr Nicholl. They followed a step-by-step development of semi-abstract clay portraiture focusing on the form and texture of facial features, and with a room full of talented art teachers, the results were very impressive!
After a break for lunch, the group explored the printmaking technique Chine-collé, a French method where tissue paper is bonded to the print at the time of printing to add colour and texture to the image. Another workshop focussed on drawing, exploring a number of different approaches to drawing that are both fun and challenging. Additionally, different media was explored as well as different ways of how one might approach drawing.
J Riste from Kings College School in Cambridge, who attended the course for the first time, told us, “For me, it’s just amazing to see what is possible and to see where we’re trying to get the children to – it’s just mind-blowing to see what can be achieved. Coming on a course like this is really important as I can meet people who are in the same position as me. I have never visited Bedford before and so, in the future, when a parent asks me my thoughts on Bedford School, I will be able to speak to them informatively.”
Forging strong relationships with our prep feeder schools is incredibly important as it helps ensure parents and teachers make the right choice of upper school for the children.
Teacher of Art, Fiona Whiteman, who led the day explained, “It’s always lovely to meet the teachers of those boys who then join us at Bedford and to have a connection with their previous school. Many teachers return year after year which really helps build relationships with our feeder schools.”
