Continued success for Fine Art students at Farlington School

In June, talented students at Farlington School in Horsham, West Sussex, celebrated victory in two prestigious competitions for young artists – the Independent Schools Association (ISA) London South Art Competition, and the Royal Society of British Artists (RBA) Rising Stars Competition.

Farlington School are thrilled to announce that no fewer than 10 Farlington School students scooped top prizes at the ISA London South Art Competition. This annual event celebrates creativity at ISA member schools in the region, showcasing the fabulous artwork produced by their students, and is a precursor to the national final in November. At the London South heat of the competition, which took place on Thursday 23rd June, first place was awarded to four Farlington students in Years 8 to 13, all of whom will now go forward to the ISA National Art Competition later this year. Three Farlington students, in Years 11 and 12, were also awarded second place in their categories. A further three students, in Years 9 and 11, were highly commended for their artwork. 

“It is just wonderful to see the talent and dedication of these students being recognised,” remarked Mrs Rosalyn Sprey, Head of Fine Art at Farlington. “It is fantastic to see our pupils’ exceptional artwork displayed outside of school, too.” 

This latest success for Farlington students follows the school’s victory at last year’s ISA National Art Competition. After triumphing at the regional heat in 2021, two former Farlington students, then in Years 11 and 13, went on to win first place in their categories at the national final. 

Also in June this year, two former Farlington Sixth Form students, and one current Sixth Former, all in Year 13 at the time of creating their artwork, were selected by The Arts Society West Sussex as semi-finalists in the RBA Rising Stars Competition, which had been delayed due to the pandemic. 

The winning pieces submitted by the semi-finalists will be exhibited at the Royal Over-Seas League in Mayfair, and the final heat will take place in November. One overall winner will be awarded the RBS Rome Scholarship and spend a month at Rome’s Sala Uno arts centre and gallery. 

“We have had many Farlington students recognised by the RBA in the past, and I am absolutely delighted to see some of our wonderful artists selected once again this year,” said Mrs Sprey. 

Another former Farlington Sixth Form student, in Year 13 at the time, was named one of the RBA’s ‘Star Students’ in 2020 – one of just 20 A-Level students to be selected nationally, each having been first identified by their local Arts Society.

The arts are part of the fabric of Farlington, and the school’s thriving Art Department has an excellent reputation. A-Level Art students at Farlington have consistently achieved grade A* or A in recent years, and in 2020 the school was awarded the prestigious Silver Artsmark.

Many congratulations to all of these very talented students. We are extremely proud of them, and look forward to hearing the judges’ decisions at the ISA National Art Competition and the final round of the RBA Rising Stars Competition later this year.