Subject Leader: Mrs Carey

Subject Role

The National Curriculum (2014) sees Art as a form of creativity, which inspires, engages and challenges children. A high-quality art education should provide knowledge and skills which allow children to investigate, invent and produce a range of artwork, the development of a deeper understanding of art, and the history of art and how it has shaped the world around us. 

Art at Caedmon

Art at Caedmon helps pupil’s explore artists and designers work, to develop their own thoughts, ideas and inspirations. Art is taught using a range of materials and through a variety of methods.  Art allows children to practice skills and techniques, which can be collaborated together to create individual works of art. 

Intent

The intent of Art and Design within school is to ensure that all children will receive learning, which allows them to develop creatively and imaginatively as they progress through school. The children at Caedmon describe art lessons as relaxing and emotive; they also said lessons help to ‘capture imagination’. Children say they enjoy making their own designs and that they enjoy watching demonstrations of skills by staff and on videos.  Artwork, skills and techniques are gathered using a sketchbook, which moves through school with children and clearly demonstrates a progression in skills.

Throughout lessons children should be exposed to technical vocabulary associated with the skills and techniques linked to a particular topic. Children state that they enjoy using different resources in art some of these being ‘charcoal, water colours, fabrics, paints and chalk’. At Caedmon we believe that children should have the opportunity to see how different artistic techniques are used within a real life context. Children at Caedmon understand the importance of art and are aware of some of the jobs, which can be undertaken using these skills. As a school we aim to provide children with experiences and visits to develop skills and understanding within art. Similarly, our goal is to ensure children develop an understanding of how artists and art movements influence societies and in turn help create original pieces influenced by others.

Implementation

Caedmon’s approach to art is through a skill-based curriculum which allows children to develop creativity, self-expression and imagination through key art processes. Children are given opportunities to practise skills in drawing, printing, painting, sculpture and textiles as well as learning about key artists and art movements which establishes their awareness of art history.

Lessons are taught in blocks on a half termly basis. Children begin by exploring different pieces of artwork and learn about artists from different eras and backgrounds. Children reflect on what they see; theyask questions, make comments and offer their interpretations of art. Following this, they focus on applying some of the artist’s styles or approach before developing the skills necessary to plan and complete a final art piece.

Children are encouraged to reflect on their work by annotating their sketch books and are given verbal feedback throughout the lessons. They are encouraged to not erase their work so that they can build resilience, reflectiveness and see their own progress.

The evidence of their work is through sketchbooks and photos.

Impact

The impact of the approach to Art is that children develop confidence, awareness and appreciate of art through their lessons. They are challenged to work, sometimes outside of their comfort zone, and achieve. Children are enthusiastic about art lessons and often thrive when interpreting, creating and practising skills. Children take pride in their work and get a sense of satisfaction and achievement as they see theirs skills progress. Using sketchbooks throughout all year groups clearly demonstrates the progression from years 1 to 6.

Children are encouraged to look at how emotions and feelings are depicted in artwork and use this to express themselves in their own work. Teachers support children to achieve (often when they don’t believe they can) and this helps to build children’s strength of character, resilience, confidence and sense of achievement.

There are often opportunities for cross-curricular art activities throughout school and children excel when applying the skills they have learned in art lessons.