Art
The main aim of the Art Department is to deliver a well balanced and rich Art education to each pupil at the Dragon, developing a delight in the artistic creative process. With the purpose built, well-equipped Art centre we are able to offer a wide range of activities including, painting, sculpture, ceramics, printing and textiles.In addition we aim to combine these different processes of creating Art with the study of Art history - both past and present - is central to our teaching in the department. By the time a pupil leaves the Dragon we aim to have introduced them to as many working practices as possible, offering them challenging activity and sophisticated learning, making them prepared for the experience of their secondary education.
Each pupil has a sketchbook, which is used to research and plan project work. By experimenting with ideas, trying out new techniques, recording feelings and thoughts or information about artists allows pupils to develop work that is well thought out and often on a large scale.
The use of ICT within the department is growing all the time, currently being used to help research projects through the use of the internet and Powerpoint presentations. We have two interactive whiteboards in the department which will help present work from other artists in a more exciting and immediate way. Digital cameras are used regularly to record work in progress, or transfer work to the computer, and pupils often use graphics packages to manipulate their images.
Galleries and Oxford are an important first hand tool. Oxford is used during lesson time to study architecture, as well as catch the vibrant markets and interesting exhibitions that are regularly on offer. There are whole year group trips to London Galleries in Year 4 and Year 7. The work studied on these is then reflected in projects completed over the following weeks.
As a department we feel experiencing the work and working methods of contemporary artists has a huge impact on the way children perceive art in general. We therefore invite artists to exhibit their work in our own gallery space as well as providing practical workshops for the children, explaining and teaching about their art work and how it is developed. In addition to these external visits there is a rolling exhibition of most recent work in the gallery, art rooms and around the school. The culmination of our celebration of the children's work is held every year in the summer term. This is an exhibition that not only celebrates the achievements of our many Art scholars, but also has a piece of every child's work out on display in either the Art rooms or the Forum.
Scholarships
Pupils who show promise in Art are selected in Year 6 to join an extra art group. From this group some children in Year 8 attempt art scholarships to a variety of schools. We help children to put together a wide ranging portfolio of work to take to their future school either for interview or scholarship exam. Pupils are expected to attend at least two extra art sessions a week, to keep a sketchbook and undertake holiday projects and weekly art homework.
Over the last two years awards have been won at: Abingdon, Cheltenham Ladies College, Magdelen College School, Marlborough, Radley, St. Edward's School, Leckford Place, Headington and Tonbridge.
Extra-Curricular
A wide range of extra-curricular activities is offered throughout the year. They include:
For more information contact:
Luke Osmond
Acting Head of Art
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