Intent Implementation and Impact

Intent

In the teaching of Art and design we aim to stimulate creativity and imagination. Art provides visual, tactile and sensory experiences and a special way of understanding and responding to the world. It enables all children to immerse themselves in a world of creativity and imagination; a world where all children can achieve in a way which reflects their own skills, abilities and areas of interest. Art can be a great means of communication and can help children with their expressive skills. Most of all we believe that art can enhance a child's enjoyment of life, giving them opportunities to relax and unwind as well as enriching many experiences.

A diverse range of artists are explored and children will develop their understanding of visual art with effective teaching and considered sequences of lessons and experiences. Understanding of the visual elements of art and design (line, tone, texture, colour, pattern, shape, 3D form) will be developed by providing a curriculum which will enable children to unlock their potential.

Implementation

Our pupils are given the opportunity from the very beginning of their school life to see a creative and inspiring school environment. Technique and skills are demonstrated during planned, progressive lessons such as through observational drawing. Children will have opportunities to observe staff, peers and online instruction to observe how technique can be developed. This will be repeated throughout the age phases to ensure development. Teaching takes account of individual child development and is key to ensuring that children are given opportunities to reach their full potential; we acknowledge that in Art and Design, children develop skills and confidence at varied rates. Children have opportunities to experience further art through enrichment experiences such as a regular extra curricular Art club which remains a popular choice.

 We ensure a broad spectrum of opportunities to explore a range of artwork and artists and ensure that this is not restricted to more traditional views of art for example, by giving opportunities to apply ICT in their studies of art. We take part in local competitions and displays (such as Leominster in Bloom and Christmas Card Competitions) to promote respect and appreciation of other children’s artwork. The school's unique locality is also utilised, with planned opportunities for learning outside the classroom, as well as the involvement of adults with specialist skills from the local and wider community.

 We arrange regular opportunities for the children to develop their skills working with artists in school workshops. In particular, we have developed regular links with local artists and craftspeople, the potter - Jon Williams, and Eek Batik, who both run workshops for the whole school, culminating in large permanent murals displayed around the school. We take the children to visit The National Gallery in London as part of a residential trip.

Impact

The structure of the art curriculum ensures that children are able to develop their knowledge and understanding of the work of artists, craftspeople and designers from a range of times and cultures and apply this knowledge to their own work. The use of children's sketchbooks means that children are able to review, modify and develop their initial ideas in order to achieve high quality outcomes. Children learn to understand and apply the key principles of art: line, tone, texture, shape, form, space, pattern, colour, contrast, composition, proportion and perspective. The opportunity for children to refine and develop their techniques over time is supported by effective lesson sequencing and progression between year milestones but we are also aware of the need to take account of their individual development. Ultimately we aim to support children in achieving age related expectations across the key stages.

Classroom displays and the overall school environment reflect the children's sense of pride in their artwork and this is also demonstrated by creative outcomes across the wider curriculum. The school environment also celebrates children's achievements in art and demonstrates the subject's high status in the school, with outcomes, including murals, enhancing the outdoor, as well as indoor, environment and children are actively encouraged to take pride and contribute to our school environment.