The Art Department aims to provide a programme of study for all year groups which will lay the groundwork for students to communicate fluently in visual and tactile form, familiarising them with the principles of Fine Art and Design.
Students will be required to strive for originality in order to discover and develop creativity and will be introduced to a variety of experiences exploring a range of Fine Art media, techniques and processes through personal projects.
This is undertaken through team teaching to those who have opted to study Art for GCSE or A Level, where staff have different specialisms to offer, but is built gradually through drawing, painting and printmaking through the Lower School curriculum, which is compulsory.
Understanding creative diversity is important to the department and students will be encouraged to be reflective about their own development and the work of other artists. They will be required to sustain intense interest, develop resilience and an understanding that creative practice is often challenging, and always purposeful.
The core of the syllabus is the development of ideas and recording in many forms often uniquely meaningful to themselves. They will be asked to be adventurous and communicate confidently and powerfully through purposeful, individual tasks.
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Head of Department
Philippa Futrell
Philippa chose to join the teaching profession after a number of years working as a graphic designer in London and joined Benenden in September 1990. She has worked as a DHM in Founders as well as taking on other roles in the School, such as being part of the Weekend Activity Team, and became Head of Department in 2015. She lives near the School with her husband and dog and when she can she paints for her own pleasure.
