Art, Design & Technology

Why Study Art?

Art and design (including craft) stimulates creativity and imagination. It provides visual, tactile and sensory experiences and a unique way of understanding and responding to the world. It enables children to communicate what they see, feel and think though the use of colour, texture, form, pattern and different materials and processes. Through art and design activities, they learn to make informed judgements and aesthetic and practical decisions, becoming actively involved in shaping environments. They explore ideas and meanings in the work of artists, craftspeople and designers. They learn about the diverse roles and functions of art, craft and design in contemporary life, and in different times and cultures. Understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the visual arts have the power to enrich our personal and public lives.

Intent

At Theale Primary School our art and design curriculum is designed to engage, inspire and challenge children, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to participate in, experiment with, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. Children will be empowered to think creatively and critically. They will investigate and evaluate a wide range of creative outcomes from the past and present to develop rigorous understanding of the many disciplines within art, craft and design and how they shape our past and future.

Implementation

Theale Primary School’s Art and Design curriculum is built around essential knowledge, understanding and key skills. These are broken into year group expectations and show clear continuity and progress.

As a school and in accordance with the National Curriculum’s expectations, we aim to ensure that all pupils:

- 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.

At Theale Primary School we also expect the children to:

- Be inspired, challenged and engaged by the subject, appreciating the potential for enrichment within their daily lives, their future and potential career opportunities.

- Strive to achieve their best and learn processes to enable them to improve the standard of their work as they progress through the school. Their work will be valued and their effort recognised in high quality displays in school and elsewhere.

- Develop and improve their knowledge of art and design making. Equipping them with the skills to create and invent their own art work and being able to express their ideas, imagination and feelings.

- Have confidence in their own ability and understanding and feel secure in experimenting, taking risks and pushing their ideas forward.

- Learn about great artists, designers and architects and begin to understand the cultural, historical and economic impact of art and design on our nation.

- Develop their critical and questioning skills in interpreting and critiquing the work of artists, craftspeople and designers. They will learn how to articulate and communicate ideas and opinions about their own work and that of others in positive and constructive ways.

- Develop a cooperative attitude when working in a group, respecting and valuing the opinions of others.

- Use creative thinking to solve problems and develop their own ideas.

- Enjoy and appreciate seeing their own work and that of others on display, both in school and elsewhere.

Impact

The impact of our art and design curriculum can be seen not only in our children’s sketchbooks but also through classroom displays and the school environment.

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

- Summative assessment of pupil discussions about their learning.

- Images of the children’s practical learning.

- Interviewing the pupils about their learning (pupil voice).

- Pupil’s books are scrutinised and there is the opportunity for a dialogue between teachers to understand their class’s work.

- Annual reporting of standards across the curriculum.

- Marking of work in books.

We encourage ‘Expressive Arts and Design’ in the reception classes as this is a vital part of the Early Years Foundation Stage, and is an integral part of topic work covered during the year. We relate Expressive Arts and Design for the children, to the objectives set out in the Early Learning Goals, which underpin the curriculum planning for this age group. The children’s learning includes art, music, dance, roleplay, imaginative play, drama and design. The range of experience encourages the children to make connections with all areas of learning and so extends their understanding. We provide a rich environment in which we encourage and value creativity. Children experience a wide range of media and learn skills in a variety of activities that they respond to, using various senses. The activities that they take part in are imaginative and enjoyable.

Children in Foundation Stage are assessed within Expressive Arts and Design and their progress is tracked termly.

Art and Design Policy

Technology and Design Policy Art, Design and Technology Subject Overview

Art Knowledge Organiser - Autumn - FS2 - Yr1

Art Knowledge Organiser - Autumn - Yr2 and Yr3

Art Knowledge Organiser - Autumn - Yr4 and Yr5 Art Knowledge Organiser - Autumn - Yr6

Art & Design Knowledge Organiser - Spring - EYFS and Yr1

Art Knowledge Organiser Spring - Yr2 and Yr3

Art Knowledge Organiser - Spring - Yr4 and Yr5

Art Knowledge Organiser - Spring - Yr 6

Art & Design Knowledge Organiser - Summer - EYFS and Yr1

Art Knowledge Organiser - Summer - Yr2 and Yr3