By Ludo Amory

Education and Outreach Officer

In November 2024, we proudly introduced our first-ever HPQ Introduction to Art History course for 13 to 15-year-olds, held during term time Sundays at the Courtauld and online. Building on the success of our previous Introduction courses for this age group, which we have run since 2021, this new initiative reflects our commitment to providing impactful learning experiences. Importantly, it also addresses feedback from past students, who expressed a desire for a more concrete outcome from their studies.

We were incredibly fortunate to collaborate with Dr. John Taylor, Chair of Examiners for Project Qualifications at Pearson Edexcel. Together, we developed a programme that offers students the opportunity to earn a Higher Project Qualification (HPQ), equivalent to half a GCSE.

Led by Nicola Hepworth, an experienced art and art history teacher, the course combines thematic and narrative approaches to art history. The ten-week programme begins with engaging themes like “How Can Art Tell Stories?” and “Gender: Women and the Male Gaze.” It then transitions to more narrative-driven sessions rooted in the extraordinary collections at the Courtauld Gallery.

During each session, students visit the gallery at least twice to learn directly from the art. For instance, a class on environment and the natural world includes gallery visits to explore landscapes by Claude Monet and Peter Paul Rubens. We are deeply grateful to the Courtauld team, especially their exceptional Learning Department, for making this possible.

The response to the course launch exceeded all expectations, with an overwhelming number of applications and a significant waiting list. This enthusiastic reception underscores the passion for art history within this age group. To ensure a focused and enriching experience, the course is capped at 20 in-person students, who split their time between the Courtauld Gallery and the Leon Kossoff Learning Centre, and 20 online students.

Nicola is supported by a dedicated team of teaching assistants, facilitating small breakout discussions where students can explore and develop their ideas. As part of their HPQ, each student is working towards creating a virtual exhibition based on themes and artworks that inspire them in class.

This cohort is our most diverse yet, with 80% of students identifying as Minority Ethnic and 36% eligible for free school meals—an important indicator of our commitment to widening participation. These bright, engaged students have approached the course with remarkable creativity, and it has been a joy to witness their thoughtful responses. I am sure that many of their exhibitions will one day be more than just virtual.

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