Art and Photography | Epsom College

The dynamic and creative John Piper Art School contains five studios that are flooded with natural light and bursting with talent. Throughout, there is an emphasis on exploring contemporary practice and theories across various media.

The guiding principle among our teachers – the majority of whom are themselves practising artists – is that our pupils are ‘artists’ and should experience the same degree of creative freedom, high levels of expectation and nurturing support and encouragement as they would receive at Art College.

Academic Study

From Year 7 to Year 9 art is a part of every pupil’s timetable. They come to the John Piper building, sharing the space with GCSE and A-level students. This encourages an aspirational and experimental approach among our younger artists. Pupils work in a range of media including drawing, painting, printmaking, digital media and sculpture, with Year 9 treated as a foundation year for further study.

We offer fine art at GCSE, which supports pupils in developing their creative and artistic practise as they build a portfolio of work.

For A-level, we offer fine art, which enables students to develop greater depth in their preferred discipline. Our students are taught with Art School foundation and direct entry to degree courses in mind, and they are encouraged to take bold, creative risks as they find their artistic voice.

Creativity Beyond the Classroom

Creativity is not confined to the academic subjects, and pupils of all ages can take advantage of the many clubs, societies and facilities available to the artistically-minded.

Our Clubs and Societies range from Creative Arts in the Lower School, to Pottery, the Art & Architecture Societies and the annual inter-house Remembrance Day Painting Award in the senior years.

The department regularly sends Sixth Form students to compete in the ARTiculation competition. ARTiculation is the Roche Court Educational Trust’s international public speaking initiative, championing the appreciation and discussion of art.

In short, no pupil need miss out on the value and pleasure of art at Epsom – regardless of their choices at GCSE and A-level. Personal projects and a passion for art can still be nurtured.

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Creative Spaces

The John Piper Art School is a beautiful Victorian building with vaulted ceilings and large windows which allow light to flood in. Spread over four floors, the building’s numerous studios include dedicated spaces for screen-printing, pottery, and printing presses on two floors. Sixth Form students have their own studio.

The building is named in honour of one the College’s most celebrated artists. John Piper is best remembered as a World War II artist but – later in his career – his work in stained glass brought him a great deal of recognition, not least the commissions for Coventry Cathedral, Eton College and Washington Cathedral.

Art at Epsom

Academic Study

Creativity Beyond the Classroom

Creative Spaces

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