Art, 3D & Textiles

At John Kyrle High School, the Art, 3D and Textiles Department believes creativity is at the heart of learning. Art is not just about producing beautiful work — it is about encouraging young people to explore ideas, express themselves, and develop the confidence to see the world in new and imaginative ways.

We are passionate about teaching art because it empowers students to:

Think independently: developing their own voice and vision
Solve problems creatively: approaching challenges with imagination and resilience
Appreciate culture and diversity: understanding how art reflects and shapes our world
Build practical skills: from drawing, painting, digital photography and transfer printing to textiles and design
Express emotions and ideas: giving students a safe and inspiring space to communicate beyond words

Our classrooms and independent Sixth Form studio are vibrant, hands-on environments where experimentation is encouraged and every student’s creativity is valued. Whether working with fabric, paint, clay, printmaking or digital photography, students learn that art is a powerful tool for self-expression and innovation. We promote personalised learning and projects that allow students to explore the world around them.

Curriculum Overview

Key Stage 3 (Art, 3D & Textiles)

Throughout Years 7–9, all students study a range of artists, themes, skills, techniques and processes. They draw from direct observation and learn the formal elements of art through creative exploration in mixed media, painting, sculpture, ceramics, modelling and textiles.

Year 7 – Mark Making

Students explore the fundamentals of drawing through mark making. They study Van Gogh alongside contemporary artists such as Fabric Lenny and Mark Hearld. Once they understand how to respond to an artist, they create personal outcomes and sculptures inspired by these styles. (Examples include Joe Burgerman-inspired ceramic characters.)

Year 8 – Peace Poster / Natural Forms

Peace Poster: Students design a poster on a set theme and enter an international competition, culminating in a public exhibition.
Insects and Natural Forms: Students build on their understanding of the formal elements, studying artists such as Eric Carle, Tracey English and Jennifer Angus. They work in paint, collage, inks, mixed media, clay and wire to produce 2D and 3D outcomes.

Year 9 – Cultural Capital

Students investigate conceptual and cultural art, exploring how artists respond to political and social issues — from Apartheid to contemporary racism and inequality. Artists such as Adrian Brandon, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Banksy and Melissa Wilcox inspire students to choose their own themes.
At this stage, students begin producing GCSE-standard artist pages and outcomes, refining their skills in preparation for Key Stage 4.

Key Stage 4 – GCSE Art, 3D Art & Textiles

Students can study Edexcel Fine Art, Textiles and 3D Art at GCSE.
We are an exceptionally well-equipped department, offering specialist facilities in:

Painting and drawing
Mixed media
Ceramics and sculpture
Digital photography
Printmaking
Textiles and fabric manipulation

Our spacious studios allow students to work on ambitious projects at varying scales — from intricate pieces to life-size sculptures. Specialist staff including painters, ceramicists, jewellers and designers support students in developing advanced skills and meeting assessment objectives.

We work tirelessly to inspire our students and nurture a lifelong passion for creativity.

Teaching Staff

Miss Kelly Davies – Head of Faculty
k.davies@jkhs.org.uk
Mrs Rhiannon Williams-Forse – Subject Lead – Art
Mrs Anna Taylor – Textiles Teacher
Mrs Julie Turner – Art & 3D Teacher
Miss Elise Bateman – Art & Textiles Teacher
Miss Davina Mills – Art Teacher

Student Testimonials

Ellena
“I chose Fine Art and 3D Art at JKHS to build on my GCSE skills. I hadn’t originally planned to take Fine Art, but after being encouraged by my amazing teachers, I joined the course and discovered a whole new creative pathway.”

Yan
“My love for textiles and fashion grew at GCSE, so continuing at A Level was an easy decision. The teachers care about us so much, and I love the creativity of the course. I hope to study fashion design in London.”

Lili
“I chose 3D Art and Fine Art because I wanted to explore new styles. At the open day, I saw how much freedom JKHS gives its artists and how enthusiastic the staff were — I knew straight away it was the right place for me.”

Evie
“Textiles at GCSE was brilliant, so taking it for A Level made perfect sense. The teachers are so supportive, and the course has helped me develop my style. I now want to pursue fashion styling.”

Abigail
“I took 3D Art because I loved turning ideas from my head into something I could hold. The Art Department helped make that possible through their teaching, care and support.”

Further Information

Please see the attached curriculum maps for more details about our KS3 and KS4 curriculum.