Art and Design

Art and Design

The OAKS Partnership School Direct Art and Design course attracts trainee teachers from a wide variety of backgrounds. You may be a recent graduate of an art-based creative degree or you may have worked in a range of occupations prior to commencing the course, which will have provided you with an opportunity to develop your subject knowledge and wider experience of education and work. Whatever your background, you will have a love of art, an enthusiasm for creative practice and a passion for conveying this to students.

Art it is a multifaceted subject, that gives students the opportunity to explore and understand the visual world around them, whilst unlocking individual creativity and drive. There is also considerable scope for the autonomy and the personal qualities of the individual teacher to flourish. These factors are recognised in the course which encourages you to question the nature of the subject, to explore priorities and to develop constructive means for meeting the needs and interests of your students. You will consider the results of recent and relevant research and reflect upon tried and tested teaching and learning strategies and programmes. Just as importantly, you will be encouraged to develop your own ideas and creativity.

The course is often tailored to the areas of weakness identified by trainees at the start of the course. However, typically these topics have included:

  • Word and image/journal art
  • Print-making
  • Ceramics
  • Mixed media textiles
  • Digital photography
  • Photoshop
  • Critical analysis/analysing art
  • Portfolio polish

Our ethos is that visual literacy is an essential part of the education of all pupils, and we aim to train inspirational teachers to deliver dynamic and exciting art education, that is accessible and challenging for all.

With study of Art and Design at post-16 you will not only be equipped to teach pupils and students in the 11–16 age range but you’ll also have opportunities to gain experience of teaching at the 16–19 level.

Practical workshops are a key element of your course, allowing you to experience a range of practical work in key specialisms such as photography, printmaking, ceramics and mixed media, as well as workshops that explore engaging pupils in critical analysis and artist research.

While the course aims to help you meet the Standards which qualify you to teach, it also has wider horizons which encompass the Induction (Newly Qualified Teacher) Year and the early years of teaching.

There are excellent working relationships between colleagues at our lead schools, the OAKS and other partnership schools that will contribute to your professional development. All schools have subject mentors who have been trained by us and they are responsible for your learning and development when on placement.

Course participants are assessed through written academic assignments and portfolios of evidence. Throughout your placements you will be assessed against the National Teacher Standards. As part of the course you will be guided in the creation and development of your Teacher’s Art Portfolio of practical work and examples, ready to take to interview and subsequently use in the classroom.

To sum up, the course aims to help you become a competent, professional and above all, creative practitioner, capable of developing the imaginations and abilities of the young people with whom you have the privilege of working.

Art and Design trainee teachers are eligible for tax-free bursaries. Click here for further details on funding.