Art in Social Engagement

On Monday 6 February, a group of Alleyn’s students made a trip to the Whitechapel Art Gallery, visiting the Barbican Centre en route, as part of their Year 12 Enrichment course on Art in social engagement.

The Enrichment course allows students to delve into socially engaged practice. Year 12s rotate through five–week blocks covering many different areas – from working with local community projects to getting involved in different subject areas of their choice.

Through this visit, students were exposed to the work of creative practitioners involved in this field to spur the development of their own project brief that tackles global societal challenges. The visit enabled them to see work out ‘in the field’ to build awareness of presentation methods and engagement with an audience.

Alleyn’s Art teacher Nolan Price said:

“Sam in Year 12 took some photos at the Barbican Centre whilst on the visit. It was fantastic to see him using observations and reflections from the journey as well as the destination itself. There's a life message for us all in there!”

In Year 12 all students spend their Monday afternoons taking part in Enrichment.

During the Advent term Year 12s undertook compulsory courses in critical thinking, purpose in careers and citizenship through exploring the system we exist within. And during the Lent term they opt for five-week courses which range from learning British Sign Language to First Aid, Feminist Literature to writing a One Act Play. Some of our students explore how to do community service through foodbanks and are supporting our chosen School charity, Under One Sky, while others are considering product design in food. Others are studying marketing and how to establish effective EDI practice.

Throughout the year there are various talks organised and opportunities to do Outreach through teaching at local primary schools.

In the Trinity term, students will be leading projects of their own and will be introduced to the Governors' Research Project Prize and how to lean into scholarship at university.