Arts & Humanities
"It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge." - Albert Einstein
The Arts and Humanities Department has a particular rationale and set of values that inspire students’ work. Passionate enthusiasts for the subjects they teach, the tutors take as their starting point Blake’s claim that “Energy is eternal delight”. The portfolio of visual and language-based A level subjects offered are conduits to the next generation of a global culture, as transmitted by the past to the present. Our students will experience some of the wonder and excitement of exploring this multiverse of forms and achievements and though students will specialise within their subjects, they will also glimpse from time to time the interconnectedness of disciplines. Students will acquire the skills of analysis and understanding of the languages and art forms they study and are often inspired to become creative practitioners themselves.
The Department is equipped with a purpose-built theatre space in the Hall, a new Music and Languages suite and a projection room for the study of Film and Media. Lesson by lesson, students gain confidence by realising that their tutors are on the same side of the table as them, respecting them as individuals, responding to their needs and praising their achievements, sharing both a body of knowledge and a set of expert skills in preparation for exams and coursework.
Departmental Structure
Tim Maher (MA) - Head of Department- English Literature/Film Studies Tutor
Lorenza Boscaini (MA) - Italian Tutor
David Mullen (BA) - Art Tutor
Philip Carr (BA Cantab MA) - English Language & Literature Tutor
Gabriella Demko (MA) - German Tutor
Michael Fynes-Clinton (MA) - English Literature Tutor
Edward James (MA) - English Literature Tutor
Nick Huntington - Drama, Theatre Studies and English
Tony Gear (BMus) - Music Tutor
Darragh Kilroy (BMus, PGCE) - Music Tutor
Cesar Gonzalez (MA) - Graphics Tutor
Cathy Graham (BSc) - Photography Tutor
Rob Miller (BA, PGCE) - Media Studies Tutor
Sakae Osakabe (PGCE) - Japanese Tutor
Maricarmen Perez (MSc, PGCE) - Spanish Tutor
Andreas Petzold (PhD) - History of Art Tutor
Ghislaine Spain (BA Sorbonne) - French Tutor
Patricia Theleste (BA) - French
Arts & Humanities include...
Staff
Tim Maher has a first class degree in English and an MA in Area Studies. His passion for the subject is passed on to students and supported by detailed knowledge of examination assessment criteria gained through his work as an examiner. Tim also teaches Film Studies and is Head of the Department.
Lorenza Boscaini-Gilroy qualified in Modern Languages at the University of Venice and has an MA in Bilingual Translation. She has taught and examined Italian and other European languages for many years.
Philip Carr has had experience as Head of Department for over thirty years, including in Saudi Arabia, where he taught English as a Foreign Language. He has a Cambridge degree and an MA. Philip has written teaching materials for the Welsh Joint Board, for whom he also examines. Phillip is a published poet.
Gabriella Demko is a highly enthusiastic, dedicated language teacher whose courses are successful because they are embedded in rigorous grammar, expanding vocabulary, and the nuances of written and spoken idiom, as required by the exam board.
Tony Gear is an experienced teacher of classical and popular music. He is a vocal coach and plays the piano, trombone, bass and acoustic guitar, and drums. Tony is the singer/songwriter for two bands which play and tour nationally.
Cesar Gonzalez is an expert in Graphic Design and the digital technology and software systems that best serve students’ needs. His enthusiasm for the theoretical and practical aspects of the subject is supported by his experience of the industry as a web and media designer, providing students with expert skills and knowledge for success in their A Level and future studies.
Cathy Graham is an experienced professionally qualified photographer and teacher. With a detailed grasp of the syllabus, Cathy encourages her students with individual practical advice and support in their work throughout the course.
Sakae Osakabe has extensive experience of teaching Japanese as a foreign language. She has taught in British schools and colleges for 15 years and is an examiner at GCSE and A Level.
Maricarmen Perez has a BSc (Hons) degree from the University of Salamanca and trained as a teacher in Spain and has many years’ experience teaching Spanish at GCSE and A level.
Dr Andreas Petzold holds a PhD from the Courthauld Institute where he continues to teach on a range of degree and post-graduate courses. He has a range of interests specialising in Florentine Rennaissance and the early Baroque period.
Ghislaine Spain is passionate about all aspects of French culture. She has a degree in languages from the Sorbonne and over 20 years experience teaching French, English and Literature. Ghislaine is an oral examiner for all exam boards.