Course Structure

The structure of the Foundation Course is designed to prepare students for progression onto degree level courses in art or design subjects. There are essentially 3 phases to the course that reflect this priority.

The first phase is 'diagnostic'. Students are introduced to a range of art and design specialisms, working procedures and media experiences, both 2 and 3 dimensionally. This programme includes an introduction to a broad range of approaches to drawing that relate to both Fine Art and Design practices.

The second phase is a 'Pathway' stage which asks students to select a specialist area in order to deepen their experience and start to build up a portfolio for their higher education application.

The third phase is 'Confirmatory'. This is a period of sustained study centred around a personal final major project, which is written by each student with a clear orientation towards their specialist choice.

All the facilities and technical staff that the school has are a resource. We have good printmaking facilities, a wood workshop, a metal workshop, a glass workshop, a plaster room, a kiln, a computer room (in addition there are designated computers and associated scanners, printer and graphics tablets located in the Foundation design studio) , a darkroom, sewing machines, 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.

After the completion of the diagnostic phase of the course students are allocated their own studio work spaces and are able to develop their interests as they emerge at a deeper and more sustained level.

During the second phase of the course we have initiated a series of workshops that gives students an opportunity to acquire additional technical knowledge about a range of processes that might be pertinent to their practice. Some of these, depending on the subject areas that individual students have opted for, are compulsory, others are elective.

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

• Glass – sandblasting, slumping, fusing, leading etc.
• Casting – an introduction to various casting processes, culminating in a bronze casting project in the second term.
• Printmaking – an introduction to various silk-screen processes as well as continuing access to our main print workshop. Students can also attend the Wednesday printmaking evening class.
• Film-based photography and dark room processing.
• Book-binding workshop
• Canvas stretching and preparation.
• Drawing – continuing access to the drawing studio, as well as the option to attend life drawing evening classes.
• 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. 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 it’s resources.

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, which is progressive and takes place at each stage of the course, is undertaken by a panel of specialist staff on designated assessment days. The final assessment, which is graded as pass, merit or distinction, takes place at the end of the course and takes into consideration work submitted for the Foundation Show.

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 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.