The Art and Design Department has been inspiring its students throughout September with exciting visits to two famous sculpture parks.

The Art and Design Department has been inspiring its students throughout September with exciting visits to the famous Yorkshire Sculpture Park and to Preston Park Museum in Eaglescliffe.

On 10th September, GCSE students enjoyed a day of sketching and study at Preston Park museum and Butterflyworld in Eaglescliffe. Whilst there, they made studies of exotic plants, butterflies and fish. Head of Art and Design, Mr Lightfoot commented on how much the students were taken with the meercat, huge snakes and other reptiles. Students also tried to unravel the mysteries of the French painting of the Dice Players by Georges de la Tour after making sketches of the Victorian street.

Surprisingly, this was the first visit to Preston Park and Butterflyworld since the department's first ever Year 10 students back in 1995! The resulting work will be seen as part of next summers GCSE show.

Also, on 22nd September, a visit was made to the Yorkshire Sculpture where students enjoyed experiencing the work of sculptors such as Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Sophie Ryder, Elizabeth Frink, James Turell and especially Peter Randal Page. Randal page is currently exhibiting in the Upper Park and long gallery. The work consists of large granite sculptures which have been carved into to form relief patterns. Mrs. Charlton explained that, "The students enjoyed the opportunity to experience the 3D work by viewing it from all sides and engaging with the work through touch - something which is not allowed in an art gallery."

Students have recorded their experiences using photography and they also made sketches and rubbings in their sketchbook. The work produced at the sculpture park and the inspiration they have received will feed into their current coursework unit 'Sculpture'.