My Burford - Alice Clements Art Teacher

I am fairly new to Burford School, having joined a year ago following a relocation to Oxfordshire. The role came up at the perfect time for me, and over the past year, I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the staff and students.

My journey into teaching began after completing a BA (Hons) in Contemporary Arts Practice at Bath Spa University. I have now been teaching for five years, having initially trained during the COVID pandemic—a time that still feels surprisingly recent and greatly shaped my adaptability as a teacher. Before joining Burford School, I worked as Head of Art at a secondary school in Bromsgrove.

As a teacher of Art and Photography, my role involves planning and delivering lessons across KS3, KS4, and KS5. A key part of my work includes assessing students’ progress through marking and providing verbal feedback to help them refine their artistic practice and develop confidence in their work. I work closely with my fellow art teachers to develop an engaging art curriculum, sharing ideas and introducing new creative approaches to our lessons. In addition to teaching, I am a Year 10 tutor and a subject mentor to trainee art teachers, supporting their professional growth and development.

At Burford, the Art Department is all about inspiring creativity, building confidence, and helping students find their own artistic voice. Our lessons are designed to spark curiosity and stretch imaginations. Through exploring, experimenting, and creating, students discover the joy of self-expression and the pride that comes with real artistic achievement. Teaching my subject and sharing my expertise is incredibly fulfilling, and I take pride in seeing my students develop and improve their skills over time.

I especially enjoy teaching the Angie Lewin project with Year 9—it’s a fantastic opportunity for students to dive into press printing and get hands-on with the creative process. Inspired by the changing seasons and the British landscape, they design and produce their own unique prints. Burford encourages creativity, allowing me to share my interests within the arts and inspire students in ways that feel meaningful. I also appreciate working with my fantastic department—it’s a supportive and collaborative team.

I am currently in the final year of my MA in Education, specialising in Artist Teacher Practice, which I’ve been balancing alongside full-time teaching. My MA studies are closely integrated with my artistic practice as a painter and printmaker. I create my work in my home studio, where I produce paintings and prints. When I am not making artwork, I like to unwind at the gym or go for a run. My to-do list is endless, but right now, I’m working on artwork for an exhibition I’m curating in June as part of my MA final project.

I’m also looking forward to setting up the KS5 Art Exhibition at Warwick Hall. This event is a fantastic opportunity for students to present their A-level work to the community in a professional setting. After two years of dedication and creativity, they take great pride in showcasing their final bodies of work to the public. The Art Department warmly invites you to come and support our students at Warwick Hall, Burford, from 15–17 July.