Extra-curricular activities

Though all pupils who are interested should have the opportunity to engage in extra-curricular art and design activities, the smaller the group the greater the opportunity to foster the individual needs of the talented pupil. The 'art club' provides one such opportunity.

Special projects can be introduced, such as professional artist placements in schools. Teachers will use these artists to benefit the whole cohort but may sometimes use such placements as an opportunity to engage a selected group of talented pupils in challenging tasks. Unlike some other arts disciplines, 'one-to-one' teaching which focuses on skills development, as in peripatetic music teaching, is rarely utilised. An effective artist/teacher can cater for a larger group if all are of similar talent and if the task is carefully planned to offer appropriate challenge.

Visits to galleries, usually involving pupils of all abilities, are likely to challenge all pupils to research into, and make judgements about, works of art. When tasks are set, through for instance a worksheet, differentiated tasks may be appropriate.

What is paramount is to offer opportunities equally to pupils of all abilities who wish to engage in extra-curricular activities, to ensure that all are catered for according to their individual needs.