Art & Design
ART & DESIGN
Intent:
St John’s School believes that every child should have the right to a curriculum that explores creativity and encourages originality. Our curriculum is designed to deliver a high-quality Art education that engages, inspires and challenges all pupils. During Art sessions, we concentrate on developing children’s ability to create images, experiment with a wide range of different media to understand their potential and use Art as a medium to give expression of their world. Our Art curriculum will develop children’s critical abilities and understanding of their own and others’ cultural heritages through studying a diverse range of male and female artists.
We believe that Art can be a platform for many other subjects, allowing all children to access the curriculum. We make clear links between Art and subjects such as English, RE, Geography and History, as alternative ways for children to express their learning. We encourage discussion around Art, encouraging children to problem-solve as they go. We believe that through Art, we can teach children freedom of expression whilst providing them with a great sense of achievement.
Implementation:
At St John’s we incorporate Art into our Cornerstones topic themed learning, therefore children are immersed into the subject through cross-curricular learning opportunities. Children will experience Art through different topics that build on previous learning and skills. Throughout each key stage, children will explore a range of media and techniques, and will study a variety of different artists. Children will develop their understanding of Art through high-quality teaching, clear considered sequences of lessons and through close monitoring and assessment. By understanding the elements of Art and Design (line, tone, texture, colour, pattern, shape, 3D form), exploring and developing techniques in a range of media and looking at a range of artists, children at St John’s will be provided with a curriculum that will allow them to reach their full potential.
The Artsmark is fully embedded into the culture of both staff and children alike having held Gold level for four consecutive rounds. A whole school ethos helps us to promote the importance of the Arts, not only through our curriculum but also through our cultural enhancements including trips to the RSC, Local Art Galleries, the Theatre, working with Professional Artists and many more.
In Early Years, children will explore art through ‘Expressive Arts and Design’, incorporating ‘Creating with Materials’ and ‘Being Imaginative and Expressive’. Children will explore a range of materials, tools and techniques and experiment with colour, design, texture, form and function. They will be encouraged to use their imagination in Art to select materials and techniques, talk about their creations and explain the processes they have used.
In Key Stage 1, pupils will use a range of materials creatively to design and make their own products. They will use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination. They will develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space. They will talk about the work of a range of different artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work.
In Key Stage 2, pupils will learn to use sketch books to record their observations and use them to review and revisit their ideas. They will improve their mastery of Art and Design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials (for example, pencil, charcoal, paint, clay). They will investigate a range of great artists, architects and designers in history and talk about how their work makes them feel whilst using their pieces as inspiration.
Impact:
Children at St John’s will be able to confidently make choices with regards to their work, being able to reflect on what went well and changes they would like to make. They will find freedom of expression and feel that Art is a ‘safe place’ for them to show how they feel. They will build upon their skills learnt and understand that each piece of Art is inspired by that of another. Overall, children will become confident and resilient artists that are able to design, create and produce high-quality pieces of artwork that can be appreciated by all.
Leo Wright Studios
Leo Wright visited our school to deliver workshops and an after-school club to Year 3 – Year 6. The interactive sessions were incredibly engaging: he showed us his animations, puppets and how to draw his cartoons. Children left inspired to be animators themselves even choosing to make their own animations at home.
