Art thrives at Headington Prep, and girls and their teachers were delighted when judges selected nine girls’ work for display at Young Art Oxford 2010! Their pictures will form part of the exhibition at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History today and tomorrow.

Prep School girls are no strangers to artistic success, with three girls recently named among the winners of the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation art competition. Selected from entrants around the country, the girls enjoyed a visit to London’s Natural History Museum, where their work was on show earlier this year.

Art at Headington Prep is all about exploration and adventure.

Teachers provide a wide range of starting points from which pupils take inspiration, helping them to develop thinking skills and practical techniques.

Artists in Residence regularly visit the school, giving girls first-hand experience of artworks and processes.

Within the broad and balanced curriculum at Headington Prep, art is just one of the areas through which girls learn to discover and express their own individuality.

ISI inspectors visiting the school in June 2009 were impressed by the range of opportunities on offer, noting: “Pupils are provided with many good opportunities to develop allround skills and to communicate effectively. The curriculum is broadened by the inclusion of French from Year 3 and German for one term in Year 6.

“Specialist teaching in some subjects, such as physical education (PE), ballet and music, begins in the nursery and increases as pupils progress through the school.

“The suite for information and communications technology (ICT) provides an outstanding resource for both subject and cross-curricular teaching.

“The school benefits from the use of specialist facilities at the senior school, particularly in sport, where pupils use the indoor swimming pool and extensive games fields.

“The recent construction of an all-weather surface has considerably enhanced the sporting provision.

“Overall, excellent opportunities are offered for physical education and games.

“Specialist facilities for art, science and music enhance the pupils’ learning experience. In dramatic activities and school productions, such as Treasure I sland and Peace Child, pupils have the opportunity to perform in front of audiences.”

With so much going on, there is something for everyone at Headington Prep. Head Andrea Bartlett explained: “This is a happy school where children are encouraged to grow as individuals, develop a love of learning and gain the confidence to make a positive contribution to their community and environment.

“My school days made me the person I am today, and that is why I chose to become a teacher. I find children inspiring.

“I enjoy the challenges and rewards of helping them to find their way as they develop into unique individuals,” she said.

“Whether conducting science experiments, tackling fractions, creating designs in DT, playing a match, reading silently in the library, or simply moving from one lesson to the next, the enthusiasm is palpable among staff and pupils at Headington Prep, and that is what makes it the special place that it is.”

Why not book a place at our open afternoon on June 9, to experience the school yourself?