Our Art Lead is Mrs. Sugg.

Intent

Our Art curriculum is designed to provide a broad and balanced education that meets the needs of all children. It provides opportunities for children to develop as independent, confident and successful learners, with high aspirations.  It engages, inspires and challenges pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of Art. As pupils progress, they are able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of Art. They should also know how Art reflects and shapes our history, and contributes to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation.

We believe that Art is a vital part of children’s education and has a significant and valuable role in the taught curriculum. As well as the enrichment opportunities we offer our pupils, our Art curriculum develops children’s critical abilities and understanding of their own and others’ cultural heritages through studying a diverse range of artists. Children will develop their understanding of the visual language of Art with effective teaching and considered sequences of lessons and experiences.

Implementation

We follow the Access Art scheme of work which offers a broad and balanced Art curriculum that builds on previous learning and provides both support and challenge for learners. It ensures progression of skills and covers all aspects of the Art curriculum. Children experience an exciting and varied Art curriculum which develops their knowledge and skills. This is supported, where appropriate, by learning outside the classroom. For example, children experience Art being exhibited in public spaces and have access to artists and artistic experiences from within their local area.

Teachers ensure their classrooms are visually stimulating and creative environments, which celebrate the process of learning, practising and developing skills in Art lessons. All classes have a scheduled Art lesson each week in the second half term of each term. We want to ensure that Art and Design is embedded in our whole school curriculum and that opportunities for enhancing learning by using art are always taken. Coordinated whole-school project work ensures that art is given high status in the curriculum. Links are made across the curriculum, where possible and appropriate, to enrich and extend the teaching of other subjects. For example, the whole school takes part in a ‘SAW’ (Science, Art and Writing) week which enables further focus on children’s artistic skills and knowledge and gives them the opportunity to develop specific Art skills, whilst reinforcing skills already established.

Impact

Our Art curriculum promotes achievement and enables children to become more confident in analysing their work and giving their opinion on their own and other works of art. Children show competences in improving their resilience and perseverance by continually evaluating and improving their work. They are always keen to learn new skills and work hard to perfect those shown to them. Teachers have high expectations and quality evidence can be presented in a variety of ways. The children’s art is very often cross-curricular, and helps them to express feelings and emotions in art, as well as show their knowledge and understanding in humanities. Children use technical vocabulary accurately and are expected to know, apply and understand the matters, skills and processes specified.

Classroom displays reflect the children’s sense of pride in their artwork and this is also demonstrated by creative outcomes across the wider curriculum. The school environment also celebrates children’s achievements in art and demonstrates the subject’s high status in the school, with outcomes, including sculptures, enhancing the environment.