Intent
Our Art and Design curriculum will provide children with a deepened understanding and connection of the world and people around them as they explore, create and evaluate a range of art and design products, processes and techniques. Children will be exposed to a range of artists that work in similar and different ways, expanding what children understand as being art, and art’s narrative through history as they think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding. Our curriculum is designed so that children learn art is not one set thing but a broad spectrum and that children are engaged, inspired and challenged by this. Children will develop their knowledge as they develop proficiency using media, materials, techniques and technical vocabulary equipping them with the knowledge and skills to be able to experiment, invent and create their own works of art.
Through high quality teaching, we develop the following essential characteristics of artists:
Implementation
Art and Design is taught as a key topic focus for half a term (as is Design Technology) but we also aim to ensure that it is integrated into other areas of the curriculum and that sketch books are used throughout the year.
Our Art and Design curriculum aims to enable children to develop their skills as artists as they create, develop, experiment and evaluate a range of pictures, painting and sculptures. The key concepts, line, shape, form, space, colour, tone, texture and pattern are embedded within our curriculum plans so that children develop their proficiency in them. The art of painting, printing, collage, sculpture and drawing are our golden threads that enable children to revisit, consolidate and develop key skills from Year R through to Year 6. The Art and Design curriculum is planned so that there are opportunities for cross curricular links to be made to ensure the children appreciate the historical concepts and intentions for creating pieces of art as well as providing opportunities to apply their knowledge and understanding.
There is an artist link for every Art and Design unit of work. With reading being central to our curriculum, in Art and Design children develop their visual literacy skills as they to learn to ‘read’ pieces of art. Understanding art work is being able to infer and interpret the meaning behind the work and come to decisions on the artist’s intentions. Through critical evaluation, children are able to form and discuss an opinion based on evidence or personal thoughts. We recognise the importance of understanding the local area and heritage and have linked one unit of study to a local artist who works collaboratively with the children.
Art and Design lessons will include: the practical development of key skills, which over time, will allow children to develop their proficiency and accuracy when conveying an intention; disciplinary knowledge as they understand that art has multiple dimensions understanding how they can be creative and expressive, and theoretical knowledge as they learn about artists using them to make comparisons and inspire their own work. Children complete a final piece of artwork at the end of each unit. The programmes of study are carefully planned and delivered showing progression, enabling our pupils to develop their art skills and knowledge.
Children use sketchbooks to record their creative thoughts and ideas. As well as using sketchbooks during Art and Design and other curriculum based lessons, children use them as a space to freely express themselves, often with limited guidance from the teacher. Sketch books are used on an ongoing basis to encourage creativity, automaticity and allow children to continuously experiment with shapes, lines and techniques.
The school supports and takes part in the local triannual community event: Egerton Arts and Music Week. Children take part in a programme of events such as viewing the work of local artists at an art gallery, attending art workshops and taking part in creating collective pieces of art.
Impact