mayfield

Art

Creativity Without Limits 

Art at Mayfield encourages students to question, experiment and express their ideas with confidence. Through drawing, painting, photography, textiles, sculpture and mixed media, students develop technical skill, creative independence and a deeper understanding of the visual world around them. 

Working in a stimulating studio environment, students are encouraged to be adventurous and ambitious in their creative practice, developing the confidence to take risks, solve problems and communicate their ideas in original and personal ways. 

art show with white walls, white table and high vaulted ceiling
two art pieces of woman in color and in black and white
two art pieces of purple face and portrait of man
two pieces of art work of bird in white outline and colorful painting
green pink and blue kaleidoscope art work with black border
two pieces of art of dog in water color and sketch
art piece of iron chain in brown and blue
nine purple and blue images of threads and ropes
two circles with white designs in each
twelve squares with blues purples and pinks art work
abstract colorful artwork divided into eight
blue and light pink kaleidoscope art work
watercolor bird skeleton in black and brown
art show with bright lights and white walls
colorful fish graphic artwork
green and purple kaleidoscope artwork
paintings of butterflies and insects
art show with white walls and high ceilings

The Curriculum

From Year 7 through to A Level, students are encouraged to develop their own creative strengths while building a strong foundation in artistic skills and processes. Art is taught through practical exploration, experimentation and critical study of artists and designers. Drawing and painting underpin much of the creative process, while students also work across a wide range of media and techniques. 

At GCSE and A Level, students follow the Art and Design course and can explore areas including: 

  • Drawing and Painting 

  • Fine Art Textiles 

  • Sculpture and Three-Dimensional Form 

  • Photography and Digital Manipulation 

  • Printmaking and Mixed Media 

The department comprises three specialist studios, a photography studio, darkroom facilities and dedicated Sixth Form working spaces, enabling students to work across both traditional and contemporary disciplines. 

Beyond the Classroom

Creativity extends well beyond timetabled lessons. Students are encouraged to develop their practice through additional workshops, independent projects and opportunities to explore new techniques and materials. 

Regular workshops offer experiences in areas such as: 

  • Oil painting 

  • Photography and Photoshop 

  • Mixed media 

  • Silk painting 

These sessions allow students to refine their skills, experiment with new approaches and develop their individual artistic style. 

Degree Courses

Many students continue their creative journey at university, studying disciplines such as: 

  • Architecture 

  • Fine Art 

  • Graphic Design 

  • Fashion 

  • Illustration 

  • Animation 

  • Interior Design 

  • Foundation Art and Design 

Recent destinations include leading institutions such as Central Saint Martins, Kingston University, UCL, Ravensbourne, Leeds, Edinburgh and Oxford Brookes. 

Recent trips

  • Gallery visits 

  • Museum visits 

  • Artist talks and workshops 

  • Exhibitions and cultural events 

Experiencing original artwork firsthand allows students to develop a deeper understanding of artistic processes, techniques and creative careers.

Careers

Art develops creativity, communication, problem-solving and critical thinking skills that are valued across many industries. Former students have pursued careers in: 

  • Architecture 

  • Graphic Design 

  • Fashion 

  • Illustration 

  • Photography 

  • Animation 

  • Interior Design 

  • Fine Art and Creative Industries 

Highlights

  • Students can make use of after-school and weekend workshops throughout the year.

  • The department has its own photography studio, darkroom facilities and specialist equipment.

  • Students work with an exceptional range of media, from oil paint and watercolour to photography, textiles and sculpture. 


Art Department Team

Miss Joe Thackray studied Fine Art Textiles at Loughborough University before completing her PGCE in Art at the University of Sussex. After leading a large art department in West Sussex for fifteen years, she joined Mayfield as Head of Art in 2006. 

Passionate about art education and the transformative power of creativity, Miss Thackray enjoys helping students develop confidence in their artistic voice. She continues to expand her own practice through oil painting, mixed media and textile work, bringing fresh inspiration and expertise to the department. 

Miss Hannah Oliver joined Mayfield in 2014 and teaches Photography and Digital Manipulation within the GCSE and A Level Art curriculum. A Fine Art Photography graduate from the University of Kent, she enjoys helping students develop creative ideas through photography, digital processes and design.