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Art

Vision 

At Great Kingshill we provide a high-quality Art curriculum that engages, inspires and challenges pupils. Our vision is to equip our pupils with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design.  We want to provide children with opportunities to celebrate Art together throughout the school and provide access to subject professionals through visiting artists and extra-curricular opportunities. We also value the importance of access to a wide range of good quality materials and provide pupils with experience of creating art in ways that challenge preconceived concepts.  

It is our vision that through our carefully planned and structured curriculum, our pupils develop their skills and knowledge to express their creativity and apply their knowledge they have learnt in other curriculum areas.  Where appropriate links are made with the topics pupils are studying. The aim of the Art curriculum is to provide pupils with an introduction to a variety of famous artists, an understanding of important Art Movements throughout Art/History and to explore creating Art using a range of mediums.   

 

Intent  

Our intent is to prioritise the value of Art education and the opportunity for creativity within the classroom. Pupils learn that by pushing through a creative challenge to produce their own work of art, it can install a sense of pride and achievement, that in turn contributes towards personal growth and self-esteem. By offering our pupils the time, space and materials for creative expression, it can lead to positive effects on their overall wellbeing by establishing social connections and improved memory. We also aim, through our curriculum, for our pupils to develop an appreciation of art by introducing them to remarkable artworks and artists.  

 

Implementation  

Through a variety of creative and practical activities, we teach the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an interactive process of creating works of Art. Each Art topic lasts 6 weeks where the children build their artistic skills and knowledge in each lesson. We believe it is never too early to introduce Art, and in our Reception classes, children encounter Expressive Art and Design through play and exploration. 

In Key Stage 1 pupils are taught:  

  • to use a range of materials creatively to design and make products  
  • to use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination  
  • to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space  
  • about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work. 

(Department of Education, 2014) 

 

Topics covered by Art in these year groups include African art, Aboriginal art, Super sculptures, Earth art, Colour creations and Henri Rousseau.  

 

In Key stage 2 pupils are taught: 

  • to develop their techniques, including their control and their use of materials, with creativity, experimentation and an increasing awareness of different kinds of art, craft and design.  
  • to create sketch books to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas  
  • to improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials  
  • about great artists, architects and designers in history 

(Department of Education, 2014) 

Topics covered by Art in these year groups include Indian art, Van Gogh, Sonia Delaunay, Pre Raphaelites, Chinese art, Frida Kahlo and Street Art.  

 

Key skills and key knowledge for Art have been mapped across the school to ensure progression between year groups. The planning for Art is supported by resources purchased through PlanBee.  Knowledge organisers are used for each unit to identify the key knowledge and skills that the children will be taught. At the end of each unit, pupils will create their own knowledge organiser to identify the key vocabulary, skills and knowledge they have learnt during the unit. These knowledge organisers and work collected through art folders and sketchbooks, are then used to assess progress against the national curriculum statements. 

 

Impact 

Through our Art lessons and wider curriculum focus on Art throughout school life, we ensure children: 

  • appreciate and appraise a wide variety of artwork and Artists 
  • build technical skills of using tools to create art 
  • understand and use a range of artistic vocabulary 
  • understand how colours and tone can be created 
  • enjoy visiting artists and high-quality art displays throughout the school 
  • develop the skills to create and appreciate their own works of art