“Art has the role in education to help children become like themselves instead of more like everyone else.”
– Sydney Gurewitz Clemens
INTENT
What do we teach? Why do we teach it?
At Ambler, Art and Design is valued as an important part of a balanced curriculum that provides the children with opportunities not only to develop and extend skills, but also to express their individuality. Our Art and Design curriculum and its cross-curricular links engage, inspire and challenge our pupils as they experiment and create their own pieces.
The National Curriculum for Art and Design aims 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.
As pupils progress, they develop a more nuanced understanding of art and design, and are able to reflect on and critique works of art. Children’s artwork is also celebrated within the school and wider community.
IMPLEMENTATION
How do we teach and assess and how does this look in practice?
To ensure art and design lessons are purposeful, the units taught relate directly to the class topic for that term. Teachers’ planning are supported by a whole school provision map, designed to show how the children’s skills progress from Reception to Year 6 in line with National Curriculum aims and objectives.
Examples include Year 2’s creation of Tinga Tinga art during their Amazing Africa topic, and Year 6’s design and creation of their own Anderson shelters as part of their WWII topic. In addition, works of famous local, national and international artists are explored to enhance the children’s learning and celebrate diversity. A variety of mediums – such as watercolour, acrylics, pastels, clay, charcoal and more – are incorporated in art lessons with clear progression of skills throughout each year group.
Every Art and Design unit, which is built and organised to support the progression of key skills, is broken down into 4 sessions:
- Analysis and background information of art form/artist
- Trialling new techniques and planning
- Creating their final piece
- Evaluating and critiquing their own and others’ work.
The school’s DREAMS ethos is woven into every lesson to encourage the children to feel confident to ‘achieve more’.
As part of a high-quality art and design curriculum, outside organisations are invited to run workshops; children have regular opportunities to visit galleries and museums; we collaborate with local artists and facilities to create links with art and culture within our community.
We instil a sense of purpose in our children when creating art and design by celebrating and showcasing their work in school and the wider community. At present, we engage in art projects (Royal Academy of Arts Young Artists’ Summer Show; Artist-in-Residence screen printing; whole school Empathy launch), involve parents and students in art exhibitions and after-school clubs, as well as showcase our artwork in local public places.
IMPACT
Our high-quality Art and Design curriculum equips pupils with the confidence to use a range of techniques and mediums to create their own artwork. It also promotes individual expression and the understanding that art is a way of communication. The children display a sense of pride over their creations which is evident in displays within classrooms and around the school showcasing their work.
Useful links
Tate Kids – arts activities, games and quizzes
Art for Kids Hub – online art lessons
Aminah’s World – build collages of art materials and everyday objects
bomomo.com/ – making abstract compositions
Toy Theatre – exploring online designing
