Art is taught by specialist teachers at The Hall School from Year 2 to Year 8. There are three specialist teaching rooms in the department. There is both a pottery and art room in the Senior School and the Junior School also has its own art room. All rooms are equipped with high quality materials and the art rooms are situated at the top of the buildings, creating a well lit, relaxed and spacious atmosphere. Art and pottery are both taught in half classes of nine boys from Year 3 upwards. This enables boys to work on a large scale and use equipment for processes such as acid etching.  

It is the art department’s primary objective to make art fun and exciting. We aim to provide a safe and open environment which allows freedom for interpretation and discovery, and which also allows pupils to express their ideas and feelings in a unique and positive way. We feel it is important to encourage pupils to work independently, in order to build self-confidence and self-understanding. We have high expectations of all our pupils and we always provide tasks and create lessons that challenge pupils using a variety of stimulating visual aids throughout to inspire interest and encourage learning

Our schemes of work have been designed to enrich boys' knowledge and understanding of art and, to give them an experience of a wide range of mediums and disciplines. We create projects which bare direct relation to the boys we teach and offer a contemporary and historical approach to various subjects. These projects can include anything, which the teacher decides will stimulate the boys in his or her care. We try to be flexible in our planning due to different group dynamics and, by living in London we are able to visit various exhibitions and museums which we often build into schemes of work. We feel it is important to allow time for reflection and contemplation of art works both in school and first hand in galleries and museums. The art department also holds an art exhibition each year in the Junior and Senior Schools to celebrate the achievements of all pupils.


Middle and Senior Schools

In the Middle and Senior Schools, projects are developed around yearly themes allowing for in-depth study into each topic. Themes include Portraits, The Figure, Urban Landscape, Architecture and The Natural Environment. Pupils are then introduced to a broad variation of techniques and processes within that theme. Our schemes of work cover a range of techniques including mono printing, lino, relief printing and zinc and solar plate etching, a range of techniques in textiles including Batik, felt making and screen printing. Pupils also use a variety of medium for three-dimensional studies. The senior school art room is also equipped with a suit of 5 Apple Macintosh computers which pupils use for illustration and animation. Most projects begin with drawing from observation as it teaches young children the fundamental life skill of how to ‘see’ which helps them to visualize and find solutions. Pupils will then use these studies alongside artists work as inspiration to create their own imaginative response to the theme.
In addition to experimenting with a wide range of disciplines, pupils are also taught both traditional and contemporary techniques in drawing and painting. This thematic system also allows for boys to study a wide range of artists approach to each topic. The teaching of art encompasses a variety of cultures and practices therefore enriching the cultural experiences of pupils by encouraging the appreciation of others views of the world. Time is devoted within each scheme to allow for discussion, reflection, peer and self assessment. We also ensure that pupils are taught the appropriate vocabulary to discuss and express ideas openly and inquisitively.

Junior School

The aim of The Hall Junior School art classes is to introduce the boys to various practical approaches and processes to creating art, using both tutor lead demonstrations and their own personal investigation with the materials. It is important that the class is used to make them visually aware of the world around them while giving them the opportunity to use their imagination. In each project they are introduced to relevant work of both contemporary and historical artists.

Junior School art lessons are developed around projects that can last on average two to three weeks. They are designed so the boys can work from observation both from primary and secondary sources with particular emphases on drawing. This helps the boy to become visually aware of the world around them with a belief that working from observation can improve their powers of concentration.

The boys are introduced to different materials, mediums and processes. These are usually introduced by demonstration and discussion. The boys will be shown examples of contemporary and historical artists work but they are given the opportunity to explore their own response to the materials and subject.

Children work in both three and two dimensions and are asked to use their initiative and imagination during the project. They are particularly encouraged to test, try out, cut, glue and fold to improve their manual dexterity and eye and hand coordination. They are supported and encouraged to experiment and problem solve.

Assessment and reflection on the work takes place through peer to peer and group discussions and teacher lead questioning.