Humans have always learned through making things. That’s why, unlike most schools, art and design forms an integral part of our curriculum. Our teaching nurtures your imagination, develops your observational skills, makes you think about the social and historical background of the art you encounter – and positively encourages you to get your hands dirty. We’ve even developed our own course for years 9 and 10 so that we can help students to explore their creativity without being restricted by an exam syllabus.

As well as teaching art generally, our staff are specialists in painting, 3D design, photography, film and digital video, printmaking and ceramics as well as art history. We always encourage students to take creative risks and you can see the results on display around the school and at our wonderfully diverse exhibitions every summer. Besides numerous paintings and drawings, St Paul's artists have come up with everything from films and animations to walk-around solar systems, talking robots, chandeliers and working fountains – not to mention the occasional life-sized horse made out of chicken wire.

Art and design staff

Head of department

David Benefer BA (Norwich School of Art)

Other teaching staff

• Helen Barff BA (Goldsmiths College), MA (Camberwell)
• Clare Brashaw MA (Leeds)
• Alexander Daglish BA (Plymouth)
• Kate Fisher BA (Manchester), MA (Courtauld)
• Elizabeth Hodges BA (Wolverhampton Polytechnic), MA (Royal College of Art)
• Richard Michell BA (Bristol), MA (Chelsea School of Art)