NEW TRAINING FOR FUTURE ART AND DESIGN TEACHERS

5th February 2004

NEW TRAINING FOR FUTURE ART AND DESIGN TEACHERS

Graduates who are taking advantage of a new opportunity to qualify to teach art and design are enjoying their second semester training at Edge Hill College of Higher Education.

The Applied Art and Design PGCE course started at the Ormskirk Campus in September, when trainees embarked on the programme, specially designed for those who wish to teach art and design to 14-19 year olds.

Edge Hill?s Art, Design and Technology Department enjoys an established reputation for delivering a specialist art course for primary teacher trainees. This recent addition to the course portfolio, means that those interested in teaching art and design at GCSE, A level, GNVQ, HND or Foundation degree level, can now develop their teaching skills, taking up placements in partner schools and colleges.

Rhonda Catterall is the course leader at Edge Hill, currently on secondment from Great Sankey High School, in Warrington, where she is Head of Art and Design.

She said: "I am very impressed by the skills and diversity that the trainees have brought to the course. From designers specialising in graphics and fashion, to photographers, jewelers and fine artists, many have experience of working with a wide range of media, and all are enjoying their first secondary school placements."

The course has attracted interest not only from trainees, but from schools and colleges too. Charles O?Brien is Head of Art, Design and Technology at Edge Hill:

"We have been working in collaboration with Hindley Community High School, who recently gained specialist Art School status, Wigan and Leigh FE College, St John Rigby College in Orrell and St Mary?s Catholic High School in Tyldsley, " said Charles. "The schools and colleges offer a range of vocational art and design courses and our trainees are taking up placements with them. This means that they can access the full 14-19 age range of students studying art and design subjects."

Trainees are working alongside pupils as artists in residence with pupils observing and sharing in live design projects.

Those interested in finding out more about the range of teacher training opportunities at Edge Hill can call the Enquiries Unit on 0800 195 5063.

ENDS

EDITOR?S NOTES: For further information please contact: Roisin Rowley-Smith PR Manager Tel: 01695 584509 Fax: 01695 584355 E mail: rowlesr@edgehill.ac.uk or pressoffice@edgehill.ac.uk