Lead Subject Mentor for Art & Design Jason Smalley, Manningtree High School
Course Overview
The Art & Design course at CTTC is ideal for creative and reflective individuals who are passionate about nurturing artistic expression in young people. The course is designed to equip you with the skills, confidence, and knowledge to teach art in a secondary school setting, supporting students in their creative journeys.
You will explore a wide range of art disciplines including drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, textiles, photography, and digital media. Through both academic study and practical experience, you will learn how to plan engaging lessons, build a positive and inclusive studio environment, and inspire a love of visual arts.
You’ll gain an understanding of how to assess students’ creative work and provide constructive feedback, as well as how to celebrate diversity and cultural influences in art. The course supports you to develop your own artistic practice alongside your teaching, giving you confidence to model creativity and critical thinking in the classroom.
What You’ll Learn:
- Planning and delivering engaging art lessons across Key Stages 3–5
- Developing pupils’ visual literacy and creative confidence
- Assessing practical and conceptual art outcomes
- Managing a studio classroom and promoting safe use of materials
Placement Experience:
You’ll observe and teach in schools with strong Art departments, gaining experience in both traditional and contemporary art practices.
Recommended Reading:
- The Art Teacher’s Handbook by Helen D. Hume
- How to Teach Art to Children by Joy Evans
- Teaching for Artistic Behaviour by Katherine Douglas
- Drawing Projects by Mick Maslen & Jack Southern
Useful Websites:
