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Art and Design
Teaching in Art and Design
Virtually all new entrants to teaching are graduates. There are opportunities for adults with some higher education and industrial experience to undertake a shortened teacher training course.
Teaching in primary schools
In primary schools, art, design and technology form an important part of the education of younger children. A member of staff with particular interest or expertise may organize this side of the school's work, but normally all teachers will contribute. Often, creative work is done as part of a project, rather than just as a subject labeled 'art', say. Much of the teacher's aim is to provide opportunities for children to experience different approaches to art, craft and design, using a variety of materials, in order to develop their creative and imaginative skills and their representation of ideas and feelings. In design and technology, teachers aim to create opportunities for children to develop their design and technology capability through designing and making use of a wide variety of materials. The national curriculum for art also requires that children should be introduced to the works of artists, craftspeople and designers.
Teaching in secondary schools
Teaching art and design in secondary schools is a job for specialists. Art is taught as a discrete subject to all pupils up to the age of fourteen in all secondary schools in England and Wales. .&, a subject, it may be taught within a design or an expressive arts department. Pupils in secondary schools are introduced to a wide range of art and design techniques and methods, which may include sculpture, work in wood and metal, textiles, pottery, printing techniques and photography. Many older pupils will be working for GCSE and A level examinations in art and design. The department may also teach history of art for examination courses.
Teaching design and technology in secondary schools is likewise a job for specialists. The national curriculum lays down what pupils must study. Importance is placed on the teaching of design as a practical means of problem-solving. In schools, design and technology can be taught alongside art and craft subjects, within the scope of science, or as its own subject area. Within a design department, there are likely to be teachers of art, of design technology and, often, of home economics perhaps including specialists in metal, wood, plastics, textiles and fashion, food and graphics.
Pupils in secondary schools are introduced to a wide range of skills and techniques associated with designing and making, and requiring knowledge of materials and processes. As well as practical and design work, the department may teach history of design, and theoretical principles of design for examination courses.
Teaching in further and higher education
Lecturers must be competent and experienced artists or designers, with relevant technical or academic qualifications and some knowledge of industry. In the vocational areas of design (fashion, industrial, graphics, etc) they will have had a good range of commercial experience. Many lecturers combine their own creative work with part-time teaching. Unlike teachers in schools, they do not need to have undertaken teacher training, although increasingly this is expected. There are also limited opportunities for people to teach on teacher training courses. Wide range of art and design techniques and methods, which may include sculpture, work in wood and metal, textiles, pottery, printing techniques and photography. Many older pupils will be working for GCSE and A level examinations in art and design. The department may also teach history of art for examination courses.
What it takes
Whilst ability in their specialist subject is naturally very important for intending teachers, being able to communicate ideas and enthusiasm to children is even more essential. Like all teachers, the teacher of art or D&T must be able to deal with unenthusiastic and difficult pupils as well as the keen ones. Most teachers in secondary schools are expected not only to teach their own subject, but also to take part in the general life of the school, probably acting as a group tutor, and teaching other subjects if required. Experienced and well-qualified school teachers may go on to be heads of department, subject advisers, teacher training lecturers, or school inspectors.
GETTING STARTED IN TEACHING
Applications to some PGCE (postgraduate certificate in education) courses which specialise in art and design are dealt with through the Graduate Teacher Training Registry. It is sometimes possible to undertake a PGCE art and design course after a degree in a non-art subject, but only if you have considerable art and design experience.
Requirements for a degree in art and design subjects are either two or more A levels plus an art foundation course or an Advanced GNVQ qualification in Art and Design (or the equivalent).
