All The Fun Of The Theme Summer 2018

This exhibition shifted how I wanted to teach; I realised that working together to create a show and work with a singular theme across all-year groups was far more rewarding and exciting for everyone involved. It made the students feel that they were collaborating toward the common goal of an exhibition. They not only took pride in doing this but started to freely offer their own ideas. They were clearly very engaged.…

All the Fun was an exhibition of art, design and photography, celebrating one vision – the gallery was abuzz with visitors from far afield, transfixed by the variety of artwork on display: Year 1 produced oil pastel circus tents; Year 2 made giant painted circus characters in the style of Karl Appel; Year 3 created nostalgic Circus mixes, Year 4 constructed Venetian Carnival masks in collaboration with CD, Year 5 painted clown legs and built cardboard clown shoes; Year 6 painted theme park rides, Year 7 produced painted cut out carousel ride animals and Year 8 produced pop art themed park food. Other creative disciplines enthusiastically contributed to the exhibition; for example, CDT created Vacuum formed shoes in response to design briefs set by Clarks. The photography club produced a  photographic display featuring clowns. The drama club students performed clown acts and recited poems. A music student singing “Clown” by Emile Sande and an arresting video on a loop showing children acting out clown gestures. Every pupil had a least one piece of art on display (art was chosen not on merit but on a collaborative basis), and the exhibition was heralded far beyond the school’s natural audience.

Witnessing what children can do with a bit of encouragement and guidance was excellent. After seeing the children’s extraordinary output and enthusiasm, I am convinced that this way of working benefits the students. Aside from the ‘fun’, the students became aware of the many strands that can exist in one topic, which is very rewarding and helps them prepare for the more involved GCSE and A level work.