With its long and proud history of inspiring creativity, the pursuit of excellence within an artistic context is at the very heart of Rossall’s highly successful School of Art. Rossall School of Art is one of the highest performing art departments within the UK and has gained an international reputation for the outstanding quality of work produced by students. The fact that so many graduates from the School of Art progress to study architecture, graphic design, fine art and fashion at elite universities within the UK and overseas, is a measure of the department’s ongoing success.
PHILOSOPHY
The spectacular beauty of the North West has inspired generations of landscape artists. Here at Rossall, our wild and beautiful seascapes framed by the peaks of the Cumbrian mountains across the wide expanse of Morecambe Bay provides a dramatic and ever-changing backdrop for our young artists. It is a landscape which is full of infinite possibility
We believe in promoting excellence in presentation of work, whether it be part of sketchbooks, folders or final exhibitions.
We like to encourage students to be able to enjoy and appreciate art. Pupils are taught to observe carefully, to understand and appreciate the importance of hand
eye coordination and dexterity. These transferable skills have numerous other applications in many other walks of life.
We, as a department, believe in teaching a wide variety of techniques, skills and processes in order to allow students to find their individual strengths within the subject. We strive to be all encompassing, incorporating skills in Photography, Graphic Communication, Ceramics, Textiles and Printmaking, in addition to Fine Art drawing and painting. We believe competent drawing and painting is essential to provide a firm foundation on which to build additional skills in other areas within Art and Design. We also encourage innovation, original thought and experimentation.
Work is displayed throughout the department and school to promote and encourage students whilst providing inspiration and interest to students and visitors alike. Students are taught to respect and appreciate each other’s artwork.
The department is also keen to ensure a wide audience by promoting the successes of its students in local press and magazines. We are also extremely proud of a number of our students, whose work has been selected by local and prestigious national galleries. We have even had a student who has produced an exceptional piece of work for the late Queen Elizabeth II.
“A legacy of excellence in creativity.”
ART AT ROSSALL
The Rossall School of Art is the overarching department that combines the creative disciplines of A Level Art and Design, which incorporates Fine Art, Textiles, 3D Design, Ceramics, Printmaking, Photography and Graphic Design. We also offer separate A levels in Graphic Communication, and Photography. This flexibility of artistic specialism is what distinguishes Rossall in the sector.
The academic grades for students studying Art at Rossall are consistently at the very
top of all grades awarded nationally. In 2024, all results for A Level Art were awarded at A*, cementing the place of the Rossall School of Art as one of the top Art schools in the whole of the UK.
Coupled with outstanding teaching and resources, this academic success is built on an inherent belief in celebrating expression and creativity and that every student possesses artistic potential. Furthermore, the department assimilates young artists to the creative world by offering year round living galleries that fosters artistic exploration and understanding.
Students are taught a wide variety of techniques, skills and processes to allow
students to explore their individual strengths and construct superb work with depth and originality. Innovation, original thought and experimentation is woven into the daily life of the department.
Artistic development outside of the classroom is further enhanced with substantial competition opportunities and discipline enriching visits to world famous art galleries across the UK. There is no limit to the ambition instilled into students, with their work proudly on display both at Rossall and beyond, or even receiving commendation from the British Royal Family.
Grades awarded at A*/A, 2024
100%
SUCCESS AT ROSSALL
This page illustrates some of the successes and examples of exhibitions students have taken part in at
Rossall.
Sixth Form Art & Design Exhibitions
The Rossall School of Art has developed the unique Artistic Excellence Programme aimed at nurturing and developing the very best artists. The programme provides an unparalleled level of development for those seeking a future career in Art. Each element is designed to develop the holistic understanding of the artistic discipline, ensuring sufficient practical time, breadth and depth of knowledge, whilst also facilitating sound academic understanding.
THE ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE PROGRAMME
CONTACT TIME
All artists will benefit from an average of 10-15 hours of timetabled art provision per week.
BREADTH OF SUBJECTS
All A Level students will have the unique opportunity to focus solely on Arts subjects offering a truly immersive and comprehensive artistic experience.
SHOWCASING OPPORTUNITIES
Students will be actively encouraged to submit pieces to regional, national and international competitions. Furthermore, their work may be showcased in the year round living gallery at the home of the Rossall School of Art.
FACILITIES
Access to four dedicated art studios, two photography studios and a fully equipped digital art laboratory. Those on the programme will also have additional exclusive access to the facilities to support their learning.
ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Each term, artists will benefit from the opportunity to visit a world famous gallery in one of the culturally significant capitals of London, Edinburgh or Dublin. Visits to international galleries in New York or Rome are available on an annual basis.
CAREERS SUPPORT
Students are encouraged to explore their undergraduate options at an early point, with specialist and dedicated Art university application and portfolio support, regular visits to top university campuses and opportunity to meet with top universities at Rossall through our careers fair programmes.
WORKSHOPS AND MASTERCLASSES
As Art is experienced and not just observed, we support the artistic development of our students through a programme of guest speakers and Rossall alumni who have forged outstanding careers in which they share their perspectives, guidance and advice.
THE EXCELLENCE WELCOME PACK
All aspiring artists need the correct tools in which to support their craft, as such all students who join the excellence programme will be provided with a welcome pack containing essential pencils, paints and other associated materials to allow them to hit the ground running.
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
We are proud to offer all aspiring artists to attend termly talks which explore the academic study of art within specific contexts at great depth. This supports students in developing their wider understanding of the discipline and provides the foundations for undergraduate success.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP
All students will be advised to explore obtaining professional memberships to help build their portfolios, networks and professional exposure.
WHO CAN JOIN THE EXCELLENCE PROGRAMME?
All overseas students who successfully apply to study Art at A Level will be automatically enrolled on the programme. Due to its comprehensive nature, local students will have the choice to opt in or out of the programme, depending on their personal circumstances.
WHAT SUBJECTS CAN I STUDY IN ADDITION TO ART & DESIGN?
Students are expected to combine A Level Art & Design, with any two of the following subjects;
Design Technology
Graphic Design
Photography
Students who choose to study the International Baccalaureate will still need to select five other non-art subjects to meet the criteria of the diploma.
CAN I JOIN THE EXCELLENCE PROGRAMME BEFORE YEAR 12?
Students who have exceptional artistic talent may also join the Excellence Programme from Year 10. Students who wish to join will normally need to have selected another arts based subject for GCSE, such as Graphic Design.
IS JOINING THE EXCELLENCE PROGRAMME COMPULSORY?
For all overseas students studying Art subjects at A Level, registration is compulsory. For local students, joining is strongly encouraged to support the student’s artistic ambitions.
For GCSE and IB Diploma students, registration is not compulsory but is encouraged for exceptional artists and those who intend to pursue a career in an artistic context. Our Head of Art will consider applications on a case by case basis.
WHAT ARE THE FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE EXCELLENCE PROGRAMME?
The Excellence Programme, which is unlike any other in the UK independent sector, has been carefully constructed to offer exceptional value whilst supporting our student’s ambitions. As such, a supplement of just £500 per term will be added to the termly bill for those who join, which includes all elements listed on page 8 (excluding travel and accommodation expenses).
ARE THERE ANY SPECIFIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
All students joining the Excellence Programme are expected to have a deep seated passion for Art and the ability to be able to submit a portfolio of work for review. It is expected that Sixth Form students will have the requisite English level to achieve meaningful grades to support future University applications.
ROSSALL ART SCHOOL
FACILITIES
OUTCOMES
All Sixth Form students studying at Rossall benefit from the outstanding school wide support, which saw over 80% of students attend a Top 20 or Russell Group university. Specifically related to artistic courses, specialist support and guidance is offered in terms of UCAS applications, personal statements, extra curricular development and portfolio submission.
For the truly exceptional artists, joining the Excellence Programme not only enhances their quality of work but serves as a stepping stone to a truly successful career in the world of Art, with the vast majority of graduates choosing to study at prestigious institutions such as University of the Arts, the Royal Academy of Arts, St. Martins College and many others.
Over the last 5 years, our artists have pursued undergraduate study at some of the finest art institutions across the globe;
University of the Arts London Fashion Textiles: Print
NICOLE CHAN
University College London
Architectural and Interdisciplinary Studies
OLIVIA HOLME
University of the Arts London
Graphic Communication Design
KATERYNA BILOUS
London Met
Fashion
APPLY AND ADMISSION
Applications to join the Excellence Programme are encouraged to apply early as spaces are extremely limited due to the comprehensive nature of the personalised support. The process to apply is as follows;
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
Students should express their interest in applying for the Excellence Programme to the admissions office using admissions@rossall.org.uk, our team will also be on hand to answer any questions in relation to the programme.
SUBMISSION OF PORTFOLIO
Students will then be invited to submit a portfolio of their work and to meet with the key members of the art department to discuss their ambitions.
APPLICATION
Selected students will then be invited to complete a full application to join the school, complete our standard entry tests and regular entry requirements.
If you would like any further information about the application process and entry requirements, then please contact our admissions office who will be happy to advise further admissions@rossall.org.uk
