Art

Subject Definition

Art is the opportunity to use a range of materials and media creatively. Artists do this by exploring different techniques and learning about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers.

“A true artist is not one who is inspired but one who inspires others." Salvador Dali

The National Curriculum for art aims to ensure that all children:

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.

“Art is not just a subject to learn, but an activity that you can practise with your hands, your eyes, your whole personality.”

Quentin Blake, Children’s Laureate

Implementation

At St Andrew’s, Art and Design is a crucial part of school life and learning and it is for this reason that as a school we are dedicated to the teaching and delivery of a high-quality Art and Design curriculum. We are using the curriculum developed by Kapow which supports the high-quality teaching and learning of visual arts with a vast and established bank of resources. The curriculum prides itself on being relevant, exciting, rich and forward-thinking, whilst giving non-specialist teachers support.

This is implemented through:

• A well thought out, whole school, yearly overview of the Art and Design curriculum which allows for progression across year groups in all areas of Art and Design.

• Teachers being given ownership and flexibility to adapt plans and resources from Kapow Art to meet the needs and interests of the class; often teaching art for a blocked afternoon to allow the time needed for the children to be explorative, critical and reflective on their work.

The Kapow Scheme is split into strands that run throughout. These are:

Generating ideas
Using sketchbooks
Making skills, including the formal elements of art (line, shape, tone, texture, pattern and colour)
Knowledge of artists
Evaluating and analysing.

Our school has chosen projects, artists and materials from the curriculum that allow the children to develop a progressive range of skills in these areas, this is seen in the curriculum map for art. Our units fully scaffold and support essential and age-appropriate sequenced learning and are flexible enough to be adapted to form cross-curricular links or follow the needs and interests of the class to make more meaningful links. Creativity and independent outcomes are robustly embedded into the units. They support students in learning how to make their own creative choices and decisions so that their art outcomes, whilst still being knowledge-rich, are unique and personal to the pupil.

Art is assessed through verbal constructive feedback and next steps. Further opportunities are then given to create the art piece, to improve their work and ensure that the skills are being developed. Evidence is collected within the art sketch book, which follows the children as they move through the school. Photographs of larger pieces, group or 3D work are also kept within this book.

Summative assessments take place throughout the year and teachers record the progress and attainment against the National Curriculum expectations of attainment and the knowledge and skills progression documents.

During a school year children engage in a variety of art projects that either enhance topics or offer a wider experience. Where possible cross-curricular art projects are encouraged through which children widen their understanding on a particular focus, such as the whole school art project on the ‘The big frieze’ in RE. This includes workshops provided by visiting artists, opportunities to enter art based competitions and participation in art based themed events. Some events involve parents in a supportive way or to simply celebrate learning.

Our Art Room

We are very fortunate to have a fantastic fully equipped art room where we can design, create and make our Art and Designs come to life.

Impact

The impact of the Art and Design scheme of work is monitored through both formative and summative assessment opportunities. Within art, formative assessment occurs throughout the learning process and through conversations with children. Progress can also be demonstrated through the use of sketchbooks to record ideas, reflections, analysis of artists and development of technical skills. Use of assessment materials and quizzes for each unit, help teachers with their summative assessment.

Within EYFS, teachers use the assessment outcomes for Expressive Arts and Design: ‘Exploring and Using Media and Materials’ and ‘Being Imaginative’

We measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

Monitoring planning and outcomes, lesson observations and book trawls
Ongoing assessments
Displays of children’s work

Talking to pupils about their experiences

We know Art & Design is impactful when our children demonstrate high levels of engagement and creativity in lessons and demonstrate progression in the varied skills and techniques taught. They also become more aware of the influence of famous artists and are inspired by their work using it to express their own ideas. Children consider themselves to be artists and can express their opinions of their work and others.

SEND

“Every child is an artist”

Pablo Picasso

We pride ourselves on providing learning opportunities that are accessible and ambitious for all learners thus enabling all children to make progress and achieve success. We achieve this through sequential planning, allowing skills to be scaffolded and extended as appropriate.

Making sure we:

provide opportunities for learners to use all their senses.
use a wide range of activities/materials.
help pupils to manage their behaviour by setting out clear expectations and engaging them in practical work which ensures success.
nurture a sense of achievement.
acknowledge and celebrating small steps of progress.
modify equipment and tools where appropriate to make them easy to hold and manipulate.

Our ethos aims to ensure that children are not afraid to make ‘mistakes,’ but instead, for children to be risk-takers, problem solvers and to develop resilience.

Learning Connections

We recognise the value art plays in the teaching of other subjects. Within the Kapow Art scheme, teachers have the opportunity to teach units through cross curricular topics without losing the core Art and Design objectives. This allows children to make meaningful links, helping to strengthen and build connections in learning. We also extend our Art curriculum further by providing children with opportunities to be creative in our Forest School, attend art and craft clubs and by entering local art events.

The Art Curriculum

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Useful Websites

Welcome to Art For Kids Hub!

Here you’ll find all kinds of art lessons for kids, including how to draw for kids, even painting and origami for kids.

https://www.artforkidshub.com/

Play free games and quizzes, find art activities, explore homework help and share your art with Tate Kids. The best art website for kids.

https://www.tate.org.uk/kids

Who doesn’t want to learn how to draw! Grab our step by step drawing for kids, beginners and everyone else! Our easy tutorials all come with a super handy directed drawing printable and are perfect for all ages.

https://www.easypeasyandfun.com/how-to-draw/

Online Art Resources: These are great for helping kids mature as artists in a variety of areas. Parents and teachers can find a large online collection, ranging from simple colouring pages to expert information on candle making.

https://www.jumpstart.com/parents/resources/art-resources

Website for the national gallery where children will find out all about the famous national gallery.

https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/

A website for children to find out all about famous artists.

https://www.coolkidfacts.com/famous-artists/