Art and Design

Art, craft and design is about the freedom to create and express ourselves. We strive to inspire and challenge our pupils to experiment, invent and explore possibilities in art so that they can learn to express themselves in a variety of ways. Our pupils are encouraged to think critically and to develop a deeper understanding of art and design. Through art our pupils are given opportunities to create work they are proud of, both as individuals, and together in whole school projects, allowing everyone to have pride in finished work. Our children learn about artists in history and how their work helped to shape and inform our ever changing society.

Art, craft and design is about the freedom to create and express ourselves. We strive to inspire and challenge our pupils to experiment, invent and explore the possibilities in art so that they can learn to express themselves in a variety of ways. Our pupils are encouraged to think critically and to develop a deeper understanding of art and design. Through art our pupils are given opportunities to create work they are proud of, both as individuals, and together in whole school projects, allowing everyone to have
pride in finished and displayed work.

Intent

Our art curriculum is a well-sequenced, knowledge rich curriculum. Our pupils gain knowledge not just of the artists, designers and architects, but of the concepts that relate to their work, the varying styles, how they relate to each other and how they have affected history. Children are encouraged to make connections between the artists they study and their own creative work. The intention is to foster a deep love of the subject, allow children the freedom to try new things at the same time as using newways to express themselves.

Knowledge is valued and specified

Knowledge is well sequenced

Knowledge is taught to be remembered

The content in our curriculum has been sequenced in a meaningful way that enables children to make connections and progress from unit to unit, term to term and year to year. Our units of work focus on different concepts and types of art. Different elements of art allow us to experiment and learn from various styles which requires us to use an array of mediums. These studies encompass a range of stylistic art movements, historical periods and geographic cultures.

Implementation

Each lesson starts with a prior learning review, where children are supported to retrieve prior knowledge and make connections. We have an emphasis on explicitly teaching the vocabulary required for each lesson, and each lesson starts with introducing, orally rehearsing and engaging with the key vocabulary. Key vocabulary is contextualised throughout the lesson and children are given the opportunity to apply the new language.

Each lesson is presented in small steps, is clearly explained and modelled. Children have the opportunity to talk, answer questions, explain their learning and work independently. Throughout the lessons class teachers and support staff are able to assess and provide feedback.

The overall scheme of the curriculum provides for gradual progression in terms of skills (split into painting, drawing, 3D form, collage, textiles, printmaking and mixed media) introducing the children to as diverse a range as possible. The structure of the planning also provides for progression in terms of process in art both in the critical analysis of others’ art and the necessary observation, exploration and evaluation needed for the children to create their own art. Pupils will respond to the lessons with a mixture of verbal responses, written observations, analytical drawings, annotation, sketching, design
and planning.

Concentrating mainly on the art of the Western world, our curriculum fulfills the requirements of the National Curriculum for England. Art at William de Yaxley shows our pupils how art has affected the world and shaped history. We study the art of Ancient Greece, Rome, Anglo Saxon England, the middle ages, the Italian renaissance, Victorian art and architecture, French Impressionism and modernism of the 20th century. To ensure cultural diversity, units and artists are included which provide balance to the
curriculum. We complete a study on Islamic art, the art of Ancient China, colonialization and empire and the work of women artists.

Year 6 get the opportunity to complete a study about why women and artists from ethnic groups are traditionally underrepresented in British art.