Art, Technology & Music
The Faculty encompasses three National Curriculum subject areas; Art, Design and Technology and Music.
Each subject is taught in specialist accommodation on different parts of the school site:
Art in three well equipped studio classrooms and Photography in an excellent new darkroom
Design and Technology in four rooms dedicated to Food Technology, Textiles, Resistant Materials and Graphics
Music in one practical classroom, one IT equipped studio classroom, a recording studio and four practice rooms
Each subject is staffed by subject specialists dedicated to delivering exciting and challenging learning experiences for the students. As a team we support and share ideas through regular formal meetings and informal opportunities. The mix of subjects means that there are always lively debates about learning and every teacher in the Faculty has the opportunity to share aspects of good practice.
The Faculty aims to teach National Curriculum and Examination courses through a wide range of exciting and diverse project themes. We are proud of the enthusiasm and achievement of our students at every school level. Each subject area achieves excellent examination results usually well above the national average for similar schools.
In addition, the Faculty organises a wide range of extra curricular activities, especially in Music, and each subject area actively supports the annual whole school Arts Event.
Art
Teaching Groups
KS3 – all teaching in years 7, 8 and 9 is in mixed ability groups. The students are taught in tutor groups and have two hours of Art per fortnight. The curriculum is rewritten each year so that students have constantly changing and evolving projects to work on. Although drawing is integral to all work students have the chance to learn painting, printing and three dimensional studies in each year. Looking at the work of other artists is an important part of the KS3 course and all students learn how to respond to this practically and using the written word.
KS4 – Art is a popular GCSE course and there are usually at least two groups per in Year 10 and also in 11. The department follows the Edexcel unendorsed specification.
KS5 – Students who have done particularly well at GCSE progress onto A level where they study OCR Fine Art or AQA Art; Photography.
Design Technology
Teaching Groups
KS3 – In years 7 and 8 students are taught in tutor groups. During fortnight cycle they experience three hours of Design Technology, and during the year they move through Food, Textiles and Product Design that is based around using Resistant Materials. In Year 9 students experience their lessons in smaller groups so that they have the opportunity to have more individual input in preparation for their GCSE courses. Students will also study Graphic Design in this year.
KS4 – Students are offered the opportunity to study Food, Textiles, Product Design and Child Development; Textiles and Child Development are very popular options. Food, Textiles and Product Design follow the AQA syllabus and Child Development the OCR syllabus.
KS5 – Textiles A level is currently offered for those students who do particularly well at GCSE level.
Music
The Music Department is a thriving department with plenty going on both in and out of the classroom. In lessons students experience lots of exciting genres of Music from Classical Programmatic Music to African or Samba drumming, they even get to learn about how Music affects popular culture by studying film Music and having a go at writing their own pop song! Students also learn how to play the keyboard, compose Music using real instruments and computers as well as developing their singing skills. The department is highly resourced with a wide selection of classroom percussion instruments, keyboards and other traditional instruments available for use by the students. There are also 15 new Apple Mac Computers each with a variety of Music software including Sibelius and Garageband.
Music GCSE remains a popular choice at Oldfield; many students choose to further their Musical development by taking Music in year 10. In lessons they are taught to appreciate all forms of Music as well as being given the opportunity to perform and compose in their chosen style. Lessons are relaxed and enjoyable as well as being motivating and challenging.
Music A Level is also offered at Oldfield. Whilst studying Music students can expand their knowledge of Music even further through thorough analysis and exploration of important works and composers, Bach Chorale training, composition development and high quality performances.
There are many extra-curricular activities for students to join at Oldfield such as Choir, Band, Orchestra and a special year 7 Handbell group. These ensembles perform regularly throughout the year both in and out of school. There are also some smaller groups for saxophone, clarinet and flute, keyboard, recorder and acoustic guitar that give the girls an opportunity to develop their playing and ensemble skills in a safe and pressure-free environment.
Teaching Groups
KS3 – Students are taught in mixed ability tutor groups during years 7, 8 and 9 and have two hours of Music per fortnight. The Music curriculum is designed to introduce a range of music styles and to allow the students to develop listening, composing and performing skills. ICT is used extensively to support composing and performing. There are many opportunities for them to develop their work through extra curricular provision.
KS4 – The students who take Music as a GCSE option follow the AQA syllabus and support their theoretical knowledge with composition and performance work. Students have the chance to record their own music in the recording studio and they perform to audiences throughout the two years at school functions.
Extra Curricular Opportunities
Students from all years are encouraged to take instrumental and singing lessons in addition to their curriculum music. Those who choose to do so have weekly sessions with instructors who are specialist teachers of particular instruments. Students are encouraged to join bands and groups who perform at various school functions. In addition grades can be taken by the students when their playing reaches the required standard.
The Music department organises the annual Christmas Festival in the local Church which is always a popular and significant part of the school calendar. In addition the Music students perform in an annual Music Festival at the school, and also play at celebration ceremonies and school open evenings.
The Department
Mrs R Capetti - Head of Faculty, Teacher of Art and Design KS3, 4 and 5. Teacher of Photography KS5
Miss K Osborne - Art & Textiles Teacher
Miss C Evans - Teacher of Design Technology. Specialist Food Technology at KS4. Teaches all areas of D&T at KS3
Mrs N Hitt - Head of Year 9, Child Development Teacher
Miss V Robinson - Subject Leader, Teacher of Music KS3 & KS4
Mrs S Gillman - Art & Technology Teacher
Mrs M Dowding - Classroom Support Assistant
