Practical work begins with a structured course, in which drawing, and painting are covered extensively using a range of materials such as inks, charcoal, watercolours, acrylics and oil paint. You will then move on to printmaking and explore dry point, collagraph and relief techniques such as lino cuts. Basic sculptural methods using card and wire follow, and then a range of collage and mixed media techniques are explored. Each year there is also a visual arts trip abroad to a city renowned for its artistic heritage. Recent destinations have included Paris and New York. In Paris, students experienced an outstanding exhibition of women artists at the Pompidou Centre and also a magnificent collection of post-impressionist art at The Musée D’Orsay. The trip to New York included The Museum of Modern Art, The Metropolitan Museum, The Guggenheim Museum, The International Museum of Photography, The Rockefeller Centre and visits to The Statue of Liberty, The Empire State Building, and Grand Central Station. Each June there is an annual Visual Arts Show, where Art, Photography and Textiles students show their best work in a gallery-style environment, which is open to the public. To be successful on the course, you will need to have an interest in art and in the world around you and be able to work independently and with enthusiasm. You should also enjoy visiting galleries and exhibitions.