Able Pupils in Art & Design

Definition Gifted learners : pupils who have abilities in one or more subjects excluding art & design, music, PE or performing arts such as drama and dance Talented learners: pupils who have abilities in one or more subjects of art & design, music, PE or performing arts such as drama and dance

Mistaken identities What is a talented pupil ? works quietly ? good at copying ? follows instructions accurately ? always neat ? likes drawing cartoons ? shades in carefully ? has their own crayon set ?

Recognising & identifying talented pupils in art & design Pupils are likely to demonstrate: original thought & expression a strong desire to create an ability to push the limits of normal practice a strong interest in aspects of art & design good technical skills

Recognising & identifying talented pupils in art & design (2) Pupils are likely to demonstrate: an ability to initiate ideas critical evaluation exploitation of materials & processes interpretation of ideas and meanings

Characteristics of talented pupils Original thought & expression: may want to follow a different plan to others challenge what they have been asked to do extend their work into new or seemingly unrelated directions

A strong desire to create in visual form follow flights of fancy move from one idea to another persevere until a task is completed successfully work independently with little intervention become engrossed in their work Characteristics of talented pupils

Push the limits of normal practice take risks and experiment without knowing outcome ‘what if?’ approach find ways to express feelings and emotions adapt ideas to accommodate new influences willing to test ideas to solve problems Characteristics of talented pupils

Passionate interest in art strong interest in a particular culture or aspect particular forms of art contemporary or youth culture own identity or background Characteristics of talented pupils

Good technical skills confident use of materials, tools and processes quick to learn new skills desire to extend abilities in new areas & can become frustrated if other skills do not develop at same time observe and record with accuracy Characteristics of talented pupils

Ability to initiate ideas: explore ideas, problems and sources with purpose & meaning understands tasks and can set their own adapts and applies previous knowledge Characteristics of talented pupils

Critical evaluation see similarities and differences in works of art make connections between own and others work understand context learn from mistakes evaluative skills, reasons Characteristics of talented pupils

Exploitation of materials and processes able to experiment and use materials and processes in inventive & innovative ways selective and sensitive to media applies understanding of formal elements Characteristics of talented pupils

Interpretation of ideas and meanings: understands that ideas can be conveyed and interpreted in various ways prepared to look for alternatives Characteristics of talented pupils

Questions for Teachers Does the school have a policy for identifying G&T in all areas? How are talented pupils in Art currently identified? Is there a school register of talented pupils ? Do teachers know who are the identified ‘talented’ pupils in their classes Are records of progress and attainment kept and used to provide challenging targets for pupils

Enriching & extending pupils’ experiences Plan to develop breadth and depth of pupils’ experiences and the quality of responses and outcomes Talented pupils need high expectations and active support by teachers in a culture which creates appropriate challenge develops skills & knowledge provides opportunity to test out ideas ensures access to resources and information allows diversity in solving problems values & celebrates success

Increasing breadth Looking at, talking about, questioning of... Raising issues and concepts Ensuring a balance of processes and activities Experimenting with a wide range of materials Revisiting, consolidating and applying skills learned Reflecting on approaches of others Making connections across time & place Recognising multiple solutions are possible

Increasing depth Sustaining work over time Increasing expectation and rigour Developing analytical and drawing skills Extending understanding of formal elements Exploring and experimenting with visual and tactile qualities of material and processes Allowing open ended and longer term inquiry

Improving quality of response Pupils who are talented in art benefit from extension and enrichment activities which include using: key skills thinking skills connections and application of knowledge

Key Skills Communication developing a specialist art vocabulary to discuss and explain ideas making a presentation to a group is an appropriate means making written notes, opinions and observations in a visual diary or sketchbook

Key Skills Working with others joint work in pairs taking a lead role in group work helping others opportunity to work with older partners reviewing progress and responding

Key Skills Improving own learning & performance plan/make/review to set own targets evaluate success and suggest improvements become aware of what is done well and what needs improvement

Thinking Skills Creative: to apply imagination generate & extend ideas ‘ how can this be developed’ Enquiry: pose and define problems, plan what to do, analyse, observe, research, record Information processing: find, sort, select relevant sources of information, developing personal sketch / resource books

Thinking Skills Reasoning: explain choices, preferences, judgements, develop specific language Evaluation: develop own criteria for judging own and others work select relevant resources and information to support visual work Engage with art objects, (Form,content, process, mood)

Strategies for engaging and challenging talented pupils Encourage independent study, research, extended involvement Provide extra time / out of school time Set up cluster groups with other schools (Hot house) Make contacts with secondary colleagues & pupils Organise visit or residency from artist Work together with other talented pupils, act as leader in group work

Strategies for engaging and challenging talented pupils Arrange visits to galleries or museums and work with education officer Have a school gallery, commissions, exhibition space Review projects to identify and teach skills Allow pupils to experiment with process Regular use of ‘new media’- digital cameras, computers image manipulation software, Internet access

Strategies for engaging and challenging talented pupils Develop the use of sketchbooks as personal resources Encourage pupils to work on different scales Combine several art forms into multimedia projects Carry an idea through into different media Regular opportunity to discuss and explain their work