MAD again

The annual arts festival at Waddesdon Manor has provided the venue for the second exhibition of A grade A level work from Bucks schools. It is an opportunity to show some of the extraordinary work being produced by our 6th form students.

Once again there was an outstanding entry from Chesham High school in the form of two massive cocks made from torn cardboard over a metal armature. This complemented the torso from plastic spoons which was exhibited last year and sold to Lord Rothschild.

However, several schools were unable to send work for the exhibition this year because moderation was still underway. It may be that there is a need to consider whether there is a better time and venue for this exhibition.

BATA or Bucks Art Teachers Association

We have been trying to establish an association for Bucks art teachers. This will enable them to be pro-active in managing and developing the support networks that can be so important at a time of far reaching change. The difficulty has not been the basic premise, which almost everyone accepts, but in taking that first step in establishing an infrastructure. We have been seeking to find a critical mass for this for almost 12 months now but at every meeting the numbers are just not high enough to give us confidence to proceed. However, at a meeting at Wadesdon Manor despite the relatively small numbers we agreed to proceed anyway. A brief constitution has been produced and circulated and no objections or amendments have been received. It does require the identification of officers or representatives at some stage but for the moment it was agreed to just begin and set up some meetings. So that is what will happen. There will be meetings in the north and south initiated by Chalfonts Community College and Waddesdon C of E School. In the meantime I will seek establish a comprehensive emailing list which can be used by the fledgling association.