Intent 

Art, craft and design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. A high-quality art and design education engages, inspires and challenges pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. As pupils progress, they should be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design. They should also know how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation. The national curriculum for art aims to ensure that all pupils:  produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences  become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques  evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design  know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.

Implementation

Art comes in many forms: drama, dance, poetry, craft, painting, sketching, digital art, music, mixed-media and sculpture to name but a few. It has the ability to be woven throughout the curriculum. The teaching and learning of art has been proven to have a positive impact on handwriting, social skills and overall well-being and we do not under-estimate its importance. The skill of ‘creating’ is key to the development of solutions. Our school regularly engages in whole school projects such as, The National Gallery’s Take One Picture, music and drama collaborations with Anvil Arts and The Grange Festival Opera, working with experts to inspire and challenge our children to express themselves through a variety of experiences. We regularly offer an extra-curricular club in Art. A long-term plan is in place with a two-year rolling programme as we have vertically grouped classes. Classteachers plan their medium term art planning using the Art progression of skills and experiences document for their year groups. Where possible, content is linked to class termly projects and the big enquiry questions. After learning about a particular artist, craft maker, architect or designer, pupils will invest time in developing their art skills in their sketchbooks. Pupils will be taught to improve their mastery of techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials e.g. pencil, charcoal, paint, clay. During the unit, pupils may plan and create artwork inspired by artists and reflect on the skills they have developed throughout their learning. Opportunities to share their creations and outcomes with members of the school community and experts are planned for carefully.

Each unit follows a similar format:

Lesson 1: Exploring the work of artists and architects

Lesson 2: Sketch book work/collecting ideas for a final piece

Lesson 3/4/5: Developing skills

Lesson 6: Completing a final piece

Lesson 7: Evaluation

Please use the links below to explore our art curriculum further: