Intent: We aim to provide all pupils with a varied, exciting and stimulating art education which allows pupils to express themselves visually and develop their confidence in all aspects of the subject. Through studying the knowledge, methods and techniques used by artists throughout our global world, pupils are able to understand, use and adapt a whole variety of art and design processes to develop their own artwork and create personal outcomes in creative and meaningful ways.
In EYFS, art and design are key principles of our daily learning provision. Pupils are given many opportunities to express, explore and build their creativity and their motor skills through paint, crayon, collage, making marks and model making.
In KS1, pupils use an increasing variety of mediums including water colours, oil pastels and etchings to produce 2D pieces inspired by artists such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Bernard O’Hoyes and Henri Matisse. 3D pieces using paper, cardboard and mixed media are inspired by cross curricular themes and further develop pupils fine motor skills and opportunities for creative expression.
In KS2, all lessons are taught by an art specialist as more complex art techniques and processes are modelled and learned, such as quilling, shading, perspective and figure drawing. A diverse range of individual artists such as Briget Riley, Hokusai and Louis Mailou Jones ensure that pupils are exposed to a global range of cultures and art movements. Pupils’ evaluative skills are further developed in KS2 as reflecting on their own and others’ art work becomes an embedded part of the process of producing a piece of art.
Regular weekly after school Art Clubs are immensely popular and provide pupils in KS2 with further opportunities to develop their creative skills. Through art lessons and art club pupils are actively encouraged to enter both local and national art competitions. Pupils’ artwork is displayed in the art room and throughout the school in shared spaces to promote pupils’ creative achievements and their wider understanding and appreciation of art.