Art

Harrow's rich and varied Art education seeks to develop boys' artistic interests, creativity and confidence through exploration, experimentation and a strong emphasis on drawing.

All Harrovians study Art in their Shell year. Some 60 boys continue to GCSE (Fine Art, and Art and Design) and around 30 progress to A level (Fine Art and Photography), with a number also taking History of Art. At every stage, we introduce them to a range of two-dimensional and three-dimensional processes and techniques, and, at A level, give them considerable independence to conceive their own work. We also encourage all boys to contribute to their House's entry in the annual House Art Competition and to arrange their own exhibitions.

Open seven days a week, the Art and Design Schools comprise six large studio spaces with specialist areas for painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, stone-carving, photography, laser-cutting, foundry, welding, engraving, woodwork and 3D printing, as well as several Apple Mac digital media suites. Many Harrovians use our facilities on a regular basis: artists preparing for examinations are joined by those who like to work for personal pleasure, as well as Beaks who make time to continue their practice.

Our teaching staff includes seven specialists and four technicians, and our artist-in-residence scheme brings fresh expertise each year. The department benefits greatly from Harrow's close proximity to London, organising a large number of excursions as well as regular trips abroad to cities such as New York, Paris, Florence and Rome.

The Pasmore Society is devoted to broadening boys' exposure to contemporary art practices through further gallery and studio visits, film screenings, lecture series and the day-to-day management of the Pasmore Gallery. As well as showcasing boys' own work, this exhibition space brings the work of visiting artists to the Hill, many of whom also give talks and seminars. Recent external exhibitors have included the BP Portrait Award winner Susanne Du Toit, Gulf War Artist John Keane and Alison Lambert.