At the Oratory Prep School the main aim of the Art Department is to encourage pupils to feel that art is an accessible and exciting subject, one that extends far beyond the confines of the art room, increasing their capacity to enjoy, understand and value the natural and man made environment around them.
Learning and progression
The pupils are introduced to a wide range of different media to help them explore and develop their own practical responses to the subject and they are given many opportunities to share their ideas and opinions so that they can also develop the confidence to read and evaluate the visual images and artefacts created by others.
All the pupils have a 70 minute lesson each week in the well resourced Art Room. The programme of study covers themes such as Aboriginal Art, Colour, Light and Environmental Sculpture. Each theme is carefully planned to provide a breadth of experience, encouraging pupils to experiment with different starting points, improve their technical skills in a range of different media and styles and to begin to develop their own personal art preferences as they progress through the school. Personal. Art journals form an integral part of this process as pupils learn to record their journey through each theme. The use of ICT , workshops and visits to galleries and museums further supports their learning and understanding of art from different times, cultures and traditions.
Pupils with particular ability for and commitment to art are encouraged to apply for Art scholarships and the Oratory Prep has enjoyed success in gaining awards to a wide range of senior schools.
“Art and design is not just a subject to learn, but an activity that you can practise: with your hands, your eyes, your whole personality." Quentin Blake, Illustrator and Children's Laureate
OPS Big Draw 2011
Pupils at the OPS worked together to create a piece of Land Art as part of the Big Draw (National Campaign for Drawing). Every child in the school, from Kindergarten to Year 8, contributed to the final design.
Do watch our film of the event - best viewed with the sound turned up!
