Intent
At Redwell, we facilitate Art and Design to allow the children to develop their imagination and creativity, to make connections and give them the skills to record their ideas. We nurture the children’s confidence in creating art, so that art lessons can be a place for self-exploration and freedom of expression.
Our art curriculum encourages curious minds, sets challenges and equips pupils with the knowledge and skills to experiment and create their own works of art. Our children study art in a way that ensures progression of skills, and follows a sequence to build on previous learning. We provide children with the opportunity to gain experience of a range of formal elements over a two-year cycle. Within this cycle, they will study Drawing, Painting, Printing, Sculpture, Collage & Textiles and Digital Media. Every year, pupils also study a range of artists and develop their ability to think and act like creative practitioners. Art and Design is mapped in accordance with the National Curriculum requirements, to ensure sufficient breadth of study.
Being inventive and able to solve problems ensures both academic and creative progress. We want our pupils to explore a range of diverse artists and appreciate unique and individual styles. We encourage them to be proud of what they achieve and give them an appreciation of art that will last a lifetime.
Implementation
The skills and knowledge that children will develop throughout each art topic are mapped across each year group and are progressive throughout the school. The emphasis on knowledge ensures that children understand the context of the artwork, as well as the artists that they are learning about and being inspired by. This enables links to other curriculum areas, including humanities, with children developing their knowledge of individual artists, as well as individual works and art movements. A similar systematic approach to the development of artistic skills means that children are given opportunities to express their creative imagination, as well as practise and develop mastery in the key processes of art: Drawing, Painting, Printing, Sculpture, Collage & Textiles and Digital Media.
Art and Design should be taught three times during the year, spaced with Design and Technology. This differs slightly in EYFS where there is more flexibility. Lessons can be taught weekly or in a block, depending on the focus, and key areas will be revisited repeatedly with increasing complexity, allowing pupils to build on their previous learning.
Each new unit of work begins with a recap of the previous related knowledge from previous years. This helps children to retrieve what they have learnt in the earlier sequence of the programme of study, and ensures that new knowledge is taught in the context of previous learning to promote a shift in long term memory. Throughout each unit, understanding will be monitored through both formative and summative assessment opportunities and teachers are able to seek advice and guidance from Year Group and Subject Leaders.
The school’s high-quality art curriculum is supported through the availability of a wide range of quality resources, which are used to support children’s confidence when experimenting with different types of media. The school grounds are also utilised, with planned opportunities for learning outside the classroom.
Impact
At Redwell Primary School, the impact for the learners in Art and Design is that pupil voice evidences confident and enthusiastic children who are able to talk about what they have learnt in Art and Design using subject specific vocabulary. They are able to develop ideas, master techniques and take inspiration from the artists that they have studied.
Pupils’ work demonstrates that Art and Design is taught at an age-appropriate standard across each year group, with opportunities planned for pupils showing a swift understanding. Work is of high quality and demonstrates that pupils are acquiring knowledge, skills and vocabulary in an appropriate sequence and across all key areas: Drawing, Painting, Printing, Sculpture, Collage & Textiles and Digital Media. The consistent use of children’s sketchbooks means that children are able to review, modify and develop their initial ideas in order to achieve high quality outcomes.
How are the British Values developed in Art and Design?
Democracy
In art and design, we are aware of and consider the views and values of others, particularly when working collaboratively. We share opinions and have discussions when making decisions about our work, and collaborative projects. This is linked with the Redwell Value of ‘Respect.’
Rule of Law
In art and design, we understand the school rules and values and recognise their importance in keeping ourselves and our peers safe. During projects and activities, we access tools and materials, making sure we are following class expectations. We know and understand the consequences of not following these expectations. We enjoy a calm, creative environment to express ourselves safely. This is linked with the Redwell Value of ‘Responsibility.’
Individual Liberty
In art and design, we express our individuality and creativity using a variety of mediums. Our sketchbooks are a safe place to express ideas, explore techniques and make mistakes. Sketchbooks are not marked but provide a springboard for discussions, feedback with our teachers and creative growth. We have regular opportunities to make our own decisions and choices in our art projects and explorations. Whilst making our own choices, we also understand there are boundaries which must be respected. This is linked with the Redwell Values of ‘Respect and Resilience.’
Mutual respect and tolerance of those of different faiths and beliefs
In art and design, we behave in a way that positively impacts the work and productivity of others. When giving feedback, we are constructive and respectful of others’ feelings and viewpoints. We work collaboratively on projects, have respect for our peers’ views and are receptive to the advice of others. Ideas and techniques are shared between peers, and we appreciate that art is a subject that can be viewed differently by everyone. We also use art and design as a creative way to experience a variety of festivals and traditions. This is linked with the Redwell Value of ‘Respect.’
Additional Opportunities
Pupils develop their self-esteem, artistic knowledge and creative skills to design and produce artwork through a variety of projects including diverse artists and community collaborations. This is linked with the Redwell Values of ‘Respect, Responsibility and Resilience’.
Progression Maps