The Art and DT Department

The Art and D.T. department has a curriculum in place that generates an enormous amount of interest and enthusiasm for pupils regardless of their age and ability. The history of art is an integral part of the schemes of work. Pupils can study the styles and techniques of a wide range of artists that have been picked, because their work can be imitated and absorbed into the understanding of each child during their time in the different year groups.
Therefore, artists such as André Derain, Pablo Picasso, Karel Appel and Victor Pasmore can be investigated by Year One pupils, without them having to worry about the finer points of art such as line and tone or even perspective. As the children progress through each year group they are able to take on board more challenging themes within the art world, and they do not become daunted by the new concepts that they are faced with.
Basically, they are learning the “tricks of the trade”, to enable them to produce work at the highest level possible whatever the age group they are in. This is a theory that has been developed over twenty five years of teaching, and it works very well, as the standard of the artwork on regular display can testify. Every pupil during their time at Alleyn Court will have most of their work on display from Year One through to Year Six.

The D.T. projects for Year Five and Year Six are also selected in the same manner, to enable each pupil regardless of their ability to produce results that they can be proud of. All of the items that the pupils make have been taken from the world around them, the retail industry, craft, design and advertising. An eminent British inventor was once quoted as saying that we have a multitude of great designers in this country, but they are unable to convert their ideas into models as they have not had the chance at an early age to use tools. With this in mind the pupils at Alleyn Court have, and will, be given every possible opportunity to use tools such as hacksaws, coping saws, hand drills, mallets and chisels, files, hammers and screwdrivers in order for them to be confident in their usage when they encounter them at senior schools. This of course, gives them a tremendous advantage in this subject in Year Seven.

All in all, the Art and D.T. lessons are extremely popular with all of the children at Alleyn Court, and the only thing they complain about on a regular basis is that their lessons seem to be over so quickly. Time flies by when you are enjoying yourself!
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