Art and Design

Curriculum Intent:

At Brindle St. James' CE Primary School, we value art as an important part of the children’s entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum. We believe that high-quality art lessons will inspire children to think inventively and be generous with their gift of art by sharing their work with their classmates and wider community. Our curriculum provides children with opportunities to develop their skills using a range of media and materials. Children learn to draw, paint, print, design collages, work on textiles, produce 3D work and digital art. Children will be introduced to a range of famous artists and develop knowledge of the styles and vocabulary used by them. Our Curriculum will ensure children are exposed to a wide and varied category of arts, creating an extensive bank of knowledge from which they will then be able to apply in their own work.

Many areas of art will link with other areas of the curriculum such as; sketching and making observational drawings on plants, in detail, following a science topic, supporting geographical knowledge by researching our local area to support their work on landscape painting, by exploring Henri Rousseau’s jungle when learning about other countries or connecting Miro’s art with imaginary planet surfaces during a space topic. They will be discussing Oldenburg’s textile food sculptures and linking this to healthy eating habits alongside debating what materials would they chose to support their own sculpture. Mathematical ideas of shape and space are planned also to link closely with art; for example when printing repeating patterns and designs and thinking about 3D shapes to support structures. Even in music, art will be an inspiration where children can learn about creating links just like Kandinsky does in his paintings. Through our art lessons children are expected to be reflective and evaluate their work, thinking about how they can make changes and keep improving. This in turn creates children who are not only independent at producing pieces but also children who show resilience and are proud to display their work regardless of their skill. Working together builds strong foundations where children offer peer support and have respect for each. Most importantly, pupils understand what the intended outcomes are and have a means to measure their own work against this. Children can then use these skills, which are linked to our school values, in other contexts too such as dealing with life’s challenges.

Curriculum Implementation:

Our curriculum is underpinned and enriched by child-led enquiry. Children’s varying experience along with their prior learning is used as a firm foundation upon which knowledge is built. Wow moments create a buzz around school which inspires a curiosity and positive attitude towards learning and growth.

The teaching and implementation of the art curriculum at Brindle St James' CE Primary School is based on the National Curriculum ensuring a clear, comprehensive and well-structured approach to this creative subject.

The children are taught art through lessons that build on previous learning. There are cross curricular links to topics where appropriate to maximise learning potential and allow children to make links between different areas of their learning. Displaying children’s artwork throughout the school ensures that we celebrate art at Brindle St James'.

Children have a sketchbook, which follows them through their artistic journey to allow them to revisit work and ideas and to practise and hone their art and design skills. It also serves to document their progression in Key Stage 2.

Early Years Foundation Stage:

Pupils explore and use a variety of media and materials through a combination of child initiated and adult directed activities. They have opportunities to learn to:

• Explore the textures, movement, feel and look of different media and materials
• Respond to a range of media and materials, develop their understanding of them in order to manipulate and create different effects.
• Use different media and materials to express their own ideas
• Explore colour and use for a particular purpose
• Develop skills to use simple tools and techniques competently and appropriately
• Select appropriate media and techniques and adapt their work where necessary

Key stage 1:

Pupils are taught:

• to use a range of materials creatively to design and make products
• to use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination
• to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space
• about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work.

Key stage 2:

Pupils are taught to develop their techniques, including their control and their use of materials, with creativity, experimentation and an increasing awareness of different kinds of art, craft and design.

Pupils are taught:

• to create sketch books to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas
• to improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials [for example, pencil, charcoal, paint, clay]
• about great artists, architects and designers in history.

Curriculum Impact:

The impact is evident in the quality and breadth of work the children produce, the learning environment and the children’s appreciation and enjoyment of art.

Our curriculum is focused on teaching a progression of knowledge and skills. Children are clear about their learning and have the vocabulary and skills to analyse their work and ideas.

The impact of our art curriculum is measured through teacher assessment. Teachers use the assessment to inform future lessons, ensuring that children are supported and challenged appropriately. The data gathered from assessment is tracked and analysed each term to address any trends or attainment gaps. The summative assessment at the end of the year is completed to assess where each child is working at. In addition to this pupil voice is undertaken to highlight strengths and achievement and identify any improvements, skills or knowledge that need to be focused on.

Children in the Foundation Stage are assessed within Expressive Arts and Design throughout the year and through individual progress against the Early Learning Goals.