Art and Photography department

Jack Petchey Start Programme

For the last 3 years, Aywlard Academy's Art department have been working with The Jack Petchey Start Programme and the Saatchi Gallery. The project was created by Children and the Arts and the Jack Petchey Foundation and featured in the local press. 

The broad aim of the project is to introduce high quality contemporary art to students in a way that is inspiring, engaging and challenging. 

“We aim to equip students with the tools they need to explore art exhibitions, so that they may feel confident in visiting galleries. We aim to expose the workings and processes of practicing artists to the students through direct contact with professional artists. We aim to give teachers a gratifying experience where new ideas can be tested and, if appropriate, be influential on their teaching.” 

Over the last three years students have taken part in artist-led in-gallery workshops, artist-led school workshops and a large-scale exhibitions. Our staff at Aylward have had excellent support in the form of the PTI's artist-led continuing professional development (CPD) workshops. Students have worked towards a large collaborative artworks, centred on a specific theme each year which have been displayed at the Saatchi Gallery. 

“It was an amazing feeling to see our work displayed in the Saachi Gallery” Najma Yussuf

Year 6 Transition Day - 'Endangered Animal Project'

Last year, on Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th June, we held our ‘Taster Days’ for the new incoming Year 7s. 

We made huge changes to our ‘Taster Days’ to tie in with our Project Based Learning initiative, which was rolled out in September 2016. We also decided that we would invite the students in for two days rather than one, as we have done in previous years. This was done to allow the students a much more meaningful process that will make them feel more confident when they arrive in September.

Both days were fantastic and the students produced amazing pieces of collaborative art work and had a lot of fun whilst doing so. The students were incredibly well behaved and their enthusiasm was infectious. 

To watch our video from Transition Day 2016, please click here.

We will be rolling out the same process this year and look forward to meeting all the students again in September.

AS & A Level exam work

This year our KS5 students have worked exceptionally hard to complete their AS and A Level Art and Photography exams and we were extremely proud of their efforts and work.

The externally set titles this year were 'Structures' (AS) and 'Environments' (A Level). The students each produced varied and innovative pieces with substantial supporting preparation work. We wish them the best of luck in their results this summer.