Art and design at Stondon Lower School
Intent
We intend that art at Stondon Lower School not only builds on skills, but inspires and develops the individual child. By equipping our pupil’s with the knowledge, skills, vocabulary and confidence in art, we expect that, not only will they become confident artists, but they will also go on to lead a life rich in culture and appreciation of the world around us. We aim to offer our pupils the chance to explore, make, create and reflect on their art, encouraging them to using a range of materials, building up on a variety of skills and experiences and challenging themselves and their perceptions of what makes good art.
Through the National curriculum, we aim to:
- 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 and vocabulary of art, craft and design
- Know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art form
Implementation
We achieve the implementation of the Art and Design curriculum, at Stondon Lower School, by teaching Art as part of a rich and varied, vocabulary-led curriculum linking across subjects but also with a clear progression of skills. We use a range of artists and craftspeople across the school to inspire and enrich our pupils’ understanding of the arts around them today and in the past
In Early years, Art and Design plays an important role in our pupils’ development. Children are taught to represent their own ideas, thoughts and feelings through the arts such as Design and Technology, Art, Music and Dance. They safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function. Trial, error and reasoning is encouraged throughout child initiated play.
In Key Stage 1, pupils are encouraged to explore a range of materials, whilst improving proficiency in drawing, painting, sculpture, printing and collage. Planning, creating and sharing their ideas, observations, experiences and imagination, they will develop a wide range of art and design techniques and skills using the seven elements of art; line, shape, space, value, form, texture, and colour. Along with finding out about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, they will begin to form opinions, look at differences and similarities, making links to their own work. Sketch books are introduced in Key Stage 1 and used throughout the school to record observations, ideas, plans and designs and pupils are also encouraged to revisit work, improve, reflect and evaluate.
In Key Stage 2, pupils will learn to develop and build on techniques, their control and use of materials, increasing and developing their awareness of different kinds of art, craft and design. They will use their sketchbooks to make observations, note ideas and revisit, evaluating and reviewing their work. They will develop, evaluate and improve on their proficiency in techniques, including drawing, painting, sculpture, collage and printing with a range of materials for example, pencil, charcoal, paint, clay, textiles, printing, pastels and mixed media, in both two and three dimensional work. Building on their learning about significant artists, architects, crafts people and designers in history and different genres, periods and cultures and how these effect and inform creative development in the world around us. They will be encouraged to respond to art works, by interpreting, evaluating, questioning and comparing, which in turn, can then be used to inform their own creative decision making and actions.
The school often participates in the National Gallery’s ‘Take One Picture’, and a celebration of their work is displayed or performed during such years. Local visits to galleries, outdoor spaces, and museums are encouraged as well as collaborative work with our federation school.
Termly assessments are made through Target Tracker, however on the spot feedback, discussions, self-evaluation and peer assessments are all vital in informing the staff of future lessons and direction. Pupils are challenged through self-reflection and questioning to extend their thinking and skills and pupils are also encouraged to take risks within their own work. Gaps are addressed and areas are revisited and built upon to help imbed not only techniques, skills and knowledge, but also to inspire and develop their imagination, creativity and self-expression, thus encouraging lifelong learners across the arts.
Impact
At Stondon Lower School, the impact of our curriculum will ensure confident learners who are able to talk about what they have learnt in Art and Design using subject-specific vocabulary. Pupils will not only be confident to explore, experiment and take risks in their work, but will also place value on the process and journey that they take and not just on the finished product. Pupil voice demonstrates that pupils are enthusiastic about Art and Design and understand how it can give them an insight into the past, present and future. Pupils’ work demonstrates that Art and Design is taught at an age-appropriate standard across each year group, with opportunities planned in for pupils showing a swift understanding or working at greater depth. Work is of a high quality and demonstrates that pupils are acquiring knowledge, skills and vocabulary in an appropriate sequence.