Art

Our Art curriculum provides a source of inspiration, enjoyment and fulfilment as part of our broad and balanced curriculum.  Art is an essential means of creative expression that can boost self-esteem and give learners the agency needed to develop and communicate their personal ideas, observations, and creations. Our vision provides the opportunity for pupils to express themselves, their emotions and thoughts, use their imagination, experiment and develop creativity.  As pupils progress though the art curriculum, they will think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art, artistic movements and artists which exemplify these movements.  In terms of delivering equity, we envisage by the end of Year 6 that our pupils will be instilled with the cultural confidence to visit real art galleries and be empowered to respond to what they see, feel and think using their artistic vocabulary and knowledge to express their personal response. The curriculum has been specifically designed to ensure equity through representation of significant art movements, aligned to the study of a diverse range of artists.

Art Curriculum Intent

In terms of DELIVERING EQUITY, we envisage by the end of Year 6 that our pupils will be instilled with the cultural confidence and entitlement to visit real art galleries and be empowered to respond to what they see, feel and think using their artistic vocabulary and knowledge to express their personal response. We will introduce our pupils to artists from across the globe. 

Progressive layering of knowledge, embedded in long-term memory, scaffolds pupils to:

  • Plan and practise ideas in different ways

  • Select materials that are suitable for the style of art

  • Learn from pupils’ own and other artists ‘work to make improvements

  • Evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design

  • Know about great artists and craft makers

  • Explore a wide range of processes, such as drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, collage and textiles

Conceptual Understanding – occurs when new information and ideas are incorporated into pupils’ existing knowledge framework and includes:

  • Developing an appreciation of artists and their artwork

  • Identifying similarities and differences between artists and artwork

  • Knowing about great artists, craft makers and designers and understanding the historical and cultural development of their art forms

  • Developing a good understanding and ability to use a range of art forms and materials

  • Nurturing a genuine interest in the subject and an ability to evaluate their own and others’ artwork

  • Gaining confidence to use materials and develop skills over time

Art Curriculum Implementation

To achieve our intent, our Art curriculum will provide the following:

  • A progressive, sequential journey of knowledge, skills and concepts from EYFS to Year 6, encompassing the depth and breadth of the art curriculum

  • Opportunities to address cultural capital disadvantage

  • A focus on subject-specific vocabulary to equip pupils with the language to express their knowledge of art with precision and confidence

  • Explicit links with high-quality examples, worked models and artefacts which provide contextual links and reinforce knowledge

  • Key outcomes, described as ‘sticky knowledge,’ which form the foundation of prior and subsequent learning

  • Higher-order, subject-specific questions to assess knowledge and understanding

  • Enhanced learning through memorable experiences and visiting experts

  • Adaptable approaches that enable all pupils opportunities to explore art and experience success

  • Pre-teaching of vocabulary relating to art for pupils with additional needs

  • Learning opportunities that encourage pupils to develop a genuine interest in and appreciation for other’s artwork, including historical and contemporary artists and art from different cultures and civilisations

Art Curriculum Impact

  • Pupils will have an awareness of a broad range of artists, their significance and legacy

  • They will be confident to explore, experiment, take risks and place value on the process and journey undertaken, not just the finished product

  • Pupils will experience and explore a creative outlet and learn to appreciate art as a means of self-expression and enjoyment

  • They will be involved in discussions about their learning: which includes discussion of their thoughts, ideas, processing and evaluations of work

  • Pupils will develop a deeper appreciation and value of the art around them