Course Structure – Diagnostic

Changes in the UCAS timetable have meant that students are now compelled to make applications earlier than they once did and Foundation Courses across the U.K. have been forced to adjust their programmes accordingly. For us the problem has been how to significantly shorten the diagnostic part of the year whilst retaining the various introductions to workshop practice. After a 2 week drawing project the compulsory diagnostic element has been shortened to just 4 weeks. This programme will include an introduction to painting, an introduction to 3D, an introduction to design and an introduction to printmaking processes, as well as an introduction to Digital media and Art and Design History lectures, seminars and visits. (note: The Art History programme requires the submission of an essay half way through the second term. This essay, the subject of which is negotiated with our Humanities staff, is marked and the grade achieved is included in the final assessment.)

Course Structure – Specialisation

Once this work has been completed students will be asked to make a preliminary decision about which area they think they would most like to concentrate on. We recognise that it may prove to be quite difficult for some students to make this choice at this relatively early stage with absolute certainty and, for this reason, they could consider this to be a trial specialisation period.

During this phase of the course all the facilities and technical staff that the school has become a resource. We have good printmaking facilities, a wood workshop, a metal workshop, a glass workshop, a plaster room, a kiln, a computer room, a darkroom, a drawing studio and a library. Students can also attend talks given by visiting artists as part of the general Humanities programme at any time during the year.

Once this re-organisation into specialist groups has taken place students are allocated their own studio space and are able to develop their interests as they emerge at a deeper and more sustained level. However, during the remainder of this term there will remain the possibility to undertake a variety of workshops that would once have been included in a more extended diagnostic programme. Some of these, depending on the subject areas that individual students have opted for, will be compulsory, others will be elective.

Available workshop elements in the Autumn Term and beyond typically include:

• Canvas stretching and preparation.
• Casting – an introduction to various casting processes, culminating in a bronze casting project in the second term.
• Printmaking – an introduction to silk-screen processes as well as continuing access to our main print workshop.
• Film-based photography and dark room processing.
• Glass – sandblasting, slumping, fusing, leading etc.
• Drawing – access to life drawing, as well as the option to undertake projects in geometry and perspective.
• Colour Theory – a survey of the historical development and current theories about colour including practical exercises designed to test the most important ideas.
• Research – projects that introduce approaches to research methodology and which involve study visits. An important aspect of these sessions is sketchbook development.

One of the main priorities for most Foundation students is to develop their work and ideas to a high enough level to be able to demonstrate their personal commitment to their chosen subject areas and that they have the potential to sustain further courses. Staff are constantly aware of the need to inculcate and progressively promote an attitude of individual responsibility towards the self-motivated, student-centred, learning that is required for entry into and successful negotiation of further courses, as well as subsequent careers. The Foundation course is genuinely a preparatory course and we will have, for instance, fashion students researching their subject and designing and making garments in a general design studio alongside students working on interior design or theatre design projects. This may contrast with many of the larger Foundation Courses where there is, of practical or logistic necessity, more segregation between the different subject areas but our staff, many of whom have extensive experience of a variety of teaching contexts, see cross fertilisation between the various disciplines as a productive and positive aspect of the course. Whatever subject students are concentrating on we try to maintain flexibility as to how our students are able to use the school and our staff.

Tutorial Support

Each student is allocated a personal tutor and is required to attend a formal tutorial review of their progress within the course each term. A tutorial report form is completed by the member of staff after each of these meetings. The purpose of these sessions is not only to review progress, however, but also to advise students on all matters relating to their intended progression: choice of subject and further courses, management of applications and interviews, preparation of portfolios, writing of personal statements and so on. In addition to these sessions informal tutorials take place on a daily basis, something that can only happen in the way that it does because of our continuing maintenance of high staff/student ratios and the consequent availability of a range of staff for this purpose. The personal tutor allocated to an individual student may change after specialisation to a member of staff whose area of professional expertise mirrors as closely as is feasible the subject choice of that student.

Assessment

Assessment, at each stage of the course, is undertaken by a panel of specialist staff on designated assessment days. The grades arrived at through this process are a general assessment of a student's overall performance throughout the relevant period. The final assessment takes place at the end of the course and takes into consideration work submitted for the Foundation Show, as well as the essay grades as 10% of the mark.

 Foundation Show

The course culminates in the Foundation Show at the end of May. Students and staff collaborate on the preparation and hanging of the show and this experience is an important part of the Course. The Foundation Show is advertised and open to the general public. There is a private view, part of which involves the award of the Foundation Certificates as well as the award of prizes. The end of the Foundation Show marks the end of the Foundation year.

 Prizes

The Painter Stainers Company award for an outstanding Foundation Painting Student £100
The Vargas Eyres award for an outstanding Foundation Design Student £200
An award for an outstanding Foundation Fine Art Student £200
The Principal's award for outstanding work in the Foundation Show £200
The Vintners Company award for a wine label design £300

In addition to these prizes, the Fishmongers Company award for a menu cover design (£750), a competition open to all students in the school, was won this year by a Foundation design student.