Artist Nell Bennett interviewed

Above: Nell Bennett

Tell me about yourself

My name is Nell Bennett, I’m 18, and a music and art scholar at Sutton Valence School. Last year, I was appointed Head of School, which was a huge honour, as it was the first time that both students and teachers were involved in the decision.

I’ve had to work hard to get good results, because I am dyslexic, and was rather written off when I attended my first school, because they didn’t appreciate the difficulties I was having.

There’s a lot of opportunity at Sutton Valence, which has provided a good balance between academic work and sport, art and music which I really love.

Last year I built an 8ft tall, 100ft long abstract ‘installation’ – a sort of sculpture - for the school grounds, had two seascapes on show at a London art exhibition, and led the jazz band at the Sevenoaks and Maidstone jazz festivals.

What are you doing now?

Enjoying my last year at school before sitting A-levels this summer. I love sport, and hope to keep my place in the hockey, netball and tennis teams.

I’m really thrilled that I have just been offered a place at Loughborough University to study industrial design.

What are your ambitions for the future?

My ambition is to design sustainable products. I’m particularly interested in eco-friendly homes, which can be built partly underground to save energy. And perhaps be involved in designing the cars of the future for when oil, inevitably, runs out.

What’s the best thing about living in Kent?

We live out in the country at Boughton Malherbe, which is a bit remote – I once had to walk seven miles to get to school when we were snowed in! My dad, John, is chief executive of the Kent Wildlife Trust and my mum, Ros, is a botanist, and they have helped me appreciate the sheer variety of the Kent countryside.

Where do you like to go out in your area?

Most of the places my friends go, but I particularly love Camber Sands, and also days out in London visiting art galleries.

What are your hobbies and interests?

I’d like to travel more. Last year, I spent my summer holidays living with native tribes, first on a school expedition to Borneo, and then with aboriginals on Elco Island off the coast of Australia’s Northern Territory I was there when there was a confrontation between the community and government agencies, backed by the army, which made me appreciate just how lucky we are in England.

What was the last book you read?

A book about Henry Moore’s sculptures and drawings – he’s a real inspiration to me.

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