Art and Design
Philosophy and approach
Art is a rich and diverse subject which enables our pupils to express their thoughts, feelings, opinions and imagination through visual forms. With a strong emphasis on process, children are given the opportunity to explore a visual language through mark-making from their earliest days at school, and each child’s innate creative expression is celebrated for its unique and inherent value. This is a creative and innately inclusive subject where pupils take great pleasure in finding their own artistic voice and being given freedom to explore and master a full range of skills, however, it is equally academically driven, and rooted in deep knowledge about the work of key artists and artistic movements.
What you will see in art lessons
Art and Design is planned through carefully sequenced topics in a four-year rolling programme. Each unit of work has a clear rationale and narrative, that builds on prior knowledge and skills. Overtime, children experience creating a full range of artistic forms such as painting drawing, sculpture, printing and textiles. When it is meaningful to do so, art activities are linked holistically to the whole school topic, however some topics are taught discretely to ensure consistent curriculum coverage and skill progression. All units of work are framed by an over-arching learning question which is gradually developed over the term. Every lesson has a specific learning question that requires pupils to think broadly and imaginatively, and the key knowledge and skills required to answer the question are made clear.
In EYFS, provision is made for a diverse range of mark-making materials in the classroom, and child-led artistic experiences are carefully planned into daily activities. At KS1 children are immersed in both open-ended and purposeful mark-making opportunities, with emphasis on process rather than product. By KS2, each child begins to explore and refine their mark-making using a personal sketch book to record thoughts, ideas, scribbles and marks that are meaningful to them.
Lessons are practical and children learn by experimenting and doing. Children develop a firm foundation of artistic skills and knowledge, giving them the confidence to explore and seek out their own creative directions. Children are inspired by a stimulating range of paintings, sculpture and other artistic forms, from a diverse range of cultures, including great masters and contemporary experimentalists. Emphasis is put on helping children to develop a thoughtful, artistic and critical vocabulary when observing artforms and expressing their personal preferences.
Impact
Through our art and design curriculum, children learn to connect with themselves, and find their own unique creative voice. Our children value art and mark-making as a visual language, through which to communicate ideas and experiences, as well as an understanding of art’s fundamental place in history and society. Children know and can use subject specific vocabulary to liberate them to articulate their personal views and opinions about artworks freely. They expplore and develop a full range of creative skills, and as a result derive pleasure from mastering these. From Early Years, until our children leave in Year 6, they embed a deep love for this subject and its potential to take in their lives beyond the walls of the classroom.
Art and Our Therapeutic Curriculum Strand
Art is also used as a therapeutic tool across our whole school to help children communicate challenging emotions and support regulation. ‘Free drawing’ is embedded as a daily classroom practice for emotional support, creative expression and to aid transition times. We also use drawing to help children to revisit key knowledge and prior learning.
Art and SEND
We are proud of our inclusive art curriculum and how every child is encouraged and enabled to not just access, but also thrive in this subject. We genuinely promote and embedd the concept that every child is an artist, and value the creative output of every individual.
