SCHOLARSHIPS ART
“Oundle’s Art School is a vibrant, inspirational, engaging and creative environment, where every pupil’s individuality and potential to realise their artistic ambitions fully is highly valued. Our Scholarship programme supports an exciting, diverse and challenging journey of rigorous artistic development and self-discovery. We aim to nurture creativity, develop multi-disciplinary skills, promote critical thinking and foster independence of mind. Pupils are encouraged to develop their awareness of historical and contemporary art and aesthetics, while exploring every facet of making and learning about art.”
Caroline Dent Head of Art
OUR APPROACH
We nurture imaginative and critical thinking. All pupils, particularly Art Scholars, are offered numerous opportunities to communicate creative and original initiatives, techniques and ideas, all of which contribute to a highly rewarding artistic life.
Art Scholars are encouraged to work with new and unfamiliar art materials, alongside challenging approaches to extend the boundaries of their experiences and artistic expression. Supported by talented and passionate staff, Oundelians are able to acquire new skills in both contemporary and traditional art making techniques, which engenders a progressive approach for all future studies. We support and expect our Scholars to be as explorative as possible and to follow their curiosity in a bid to find what ignites their interest within the field of Art and Design.
“As a subject, Art connects areas of life and education, giving pupils the opportunity to make a statement, a comment, an observation or to promote a message. It is a vehicle for discovery and for the development of practical and theoretical skills. At every level Art seeks to challenge and excite, and our Scholars should promote a sense of engagement and creativity.”
“I love exploring and mixing things together, including concepts and materials.”
13+ Art Scholar
COULD YOU BE OUR NEXT ART SCHOLAR? At 13+
We are looking for individuals who engage passionately with the subject across a diverse Fine Art curriculum and who are not afraid of a challenge or to take risks with their creative work. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong ambition and interest within the subject, along with recognised achievement. Our Art Scholars seek to engage with the wide range of creative opportunities that are offered here at Oundle, and are both resilient and reflective.
We are looking for enquiring minds, for pupils who enjoy academic study and who are keen to stretch themselves whilst being confident in their ability to keep on improving. We are looking for pupils with the personality and strength of character to lead and enthuse their peers. Successful candidates will show a certain flair and independence of mind; they will be engaged, curious, self-reliant and willing to take the initiative.
Our approach to assessment evaluates both holistic capabilities and potential. Candidates are asked to complete a timed, onehour practical assessment, such as drawing from observation, or a creative task enabling them to demonstrate their skills in observation, creativity and problem solving. This will be followed by a short interview with the Head of Art, where candidates will present a portfolio of their work, consisting of no more than five A2 mounted portfolio sheets. Portfolios will be carefully assessed across four strands: skill and aptitude, creativity, breadth of media and artistic potential. The final task of the day will be an analytical discussion, focusing on a particular piece of (unseen) artwork. Enthusiasm for the subject, as well as quality of skilful and artistic endeavour presented during the interview, are also taken into account.
OUR COMMITMENT TO OUR SCHOLARS
We are committed to providing the very best support to our Scholars by setting them on an exciting and challenging journey of rigorous artistic development and self-discovery that begins on arrival at Oundle and continues through life. We offer:
● A skill-based workshop. Practical sessions outside of the timetable to assist in technical instruction and creative direction
● Creative Practitioners: Artists in Residence. Art Scholars will have the opportunity to work alongside such artists and attend workshops. Scholars will show their work alongside that of the artists in the concluding residency exhibition
● Art Scholars’ Collective Project. The opportunity to work in collaboration with other disciplines, for example NEXUS with Drama and Music Scholars
Our expectations
We expect our Scholars to study Art and Design to at least GCSE level, as well as immersing themselves in all the enrichment opportunities that take place in the Art School Studios. Art Scholars are expected to contribute widely to the artistic life of the School and the stunning Yarrow Gallery. We seek to involve them in helping with the organisation and running of art exhibitions and activities where appropriate.
At 16+
We offer an Art Scholarship on entrance into the Sixth Form to a pupil who has not only displayed an enthusiastic interest but sustained high standards in the subject throughout their school career. The Senior Art Scholar should be a catalyst for achievement in their year group and bring new and unexplored approaches to their peers.
We seek an individual who is actively involved in the subject, who is ambitious, self-motivated and driven to contribute fully to an exciting and challenging journey of rigorous artistic development. Candidates should be confident in presenting their artwork and ideas to others and willing to challenge themselves through scrupulously refining their ideas, skills and contextual understanding. The selection process will involve a two-hour practical assessment, designed to test observational and creative skills, along with command of materials.
At interview, candidates will also be required to present an accompanied portfolio that demonstrates progression of their development of ideas and their use of materials to advance the refinement of skills. It is expected that, at this level, candidates will be able to articulate their knowledge of Art and Design practices, along with the ability to analyse the work of other artists.
● A Scholars’ Portfolio Box Collective. Annually, Scholars submit a piece of work in response to a chosen theme. These are then exhibited within the Yarrow Gallery and are developed into card collections for the School
● An Art Mentorship Scheme. Numerous opportunities to lead, mentor and share best practice
● Master Classes. Free tuition with practising artists from Leicester Print Studio
● Portfolio building clinics and summer workshops with SCAD University
● An Art Scholar Forum Elective. Discussions on pupilled topics, encouraging self and group reflection, critiques and offering an opportunity for additional support
● Visits to regional, national and international exhibitions, acting as a springboard for discussion and practical response work
● An annual funded Scholars’ Away Day.
BURSARIES
All Scholarship applicants are encouraged to apply for means-tested bursaries should they need financial support. We are proud that over one hundred pupils at Oundle are supported with bursaries and we are continually working to increase our Bursary Endowment Fund.
ART AT OUNDLE SCHOOL
Our Art School is a vibrant, inspirational and engaging creative environment, where every pupil’s individuality and potential to realise fully artistic ambitions is highly valued. The freedom within each of the artistic routes allows pupils to produce work which blurs the boundaries between disciplines. Central to Scholars’ artistic development is inspiration gained through viewing first-hand both historical and contemporary art. Pupils are encouraged to compile their own sketchbooks and written accounts and to discuss their understanding and views on the cultural environments they experience.
The Art School bridges four studios. Within this space is a print-making zone, a sculpture studio and a kiln room. Also housed within the Art School is a History of Art room, library and computer suite. The studios are equipped with the very latest equipment to deliver a multi-disciplinary approach.
Central to both the School and the subject of Art and Design is the Yarrow Gallery, offering a rich educational resource and providing valuable opportunities to experience an extensive range of artworks first hand. Exhibitions include regional, national and international artists as well as pupil work. Talks by visiting artists are held within the Yarrow Gallery, sometimes taking place in conjunction with their own exhibition. The interaction between our Art Scholars and visiting artists is regarded as invaluable for sharing knowledge, intentions and for developing visual language. Collaboration is important to us and each year we host a Young Curators Exhibition within the Yarrow Gallery, where Scholars will work with artists across our partnership schools, learning about curatorship, marketing and cataloguing.
THE OUNDLE SCHOLARSHIP
Talented candidates who have a genuine interest and ability in two or more of our Scholarship disciplines are invited to consider applying for an Oundle Scholarship. An Oundle Scholarship recognises and celebrates the qualities we look for in all our pupils: high academic standards together with significant commitment to the wider life of the School.
Assessment includes social and communication skills, mental dexterity and the ability to influence and lead others positively by argument and example. Oundle Scholars are offered access to elements of the Academic Scholarship Programme, as well as to many of the enrichment opportunities provided for Scholars in their two areas of particular interest.
CONTACT DETAILS
Caroline Dent, Head of Art clbd@oundleschool.org.uk
The Admissions Office
For any general questions or Scholarship assessment related queries, please contact the Admissions Office: Tel: 01832 277125
admissions@oundleschool.org.uk
Through our Art Scholarship programme we aim to:
Promote curious and proactive minds that are resilient and independent
Develop and foster a lifelong love of learning
Stretch and challenge our Scholars who will, in turn, inspire those around them
Celebrate and promote artistic excellence
“Art has allowed me to strengthen my artistic and creative ability. It has also made me realise that this is the path that I want to take; leading to a successful career.”
16+ Art Scholar
