Art

"Every child is an artist." ~ Pablo Picasso

Intent

Through our Art curriculum children develop a “visual language” in order to understand the visual, tactile and spatial world in which they live. It supports the development of well-rounded children by encouraging lateral thinking, imagination and individuality as well as practical problem solving skills. They learn key skills and techniques and are inspired to express their ideas creatively. Children gain an appreciation of our rich cultural heritage through the study of wide range of works by artists from around the world and different eras.

Implementation

Our art curriculum has been designed so that each Unit in Key Stages 1 and 2 is based on the work of a different artist or cultural style. These have been thoughtfully chosen to recognise diversity and expose the children to a wide range of artistic styles, cultures from around the world and different artists (male and female, of many nationalities, classic and contemporary, less well-known and very famous). Three Units are taught in each year group and these may be spread across a half term or taught in a concentrated block. Children always begin by learning about their key artist or cultural style. They then move on to explore and practise artistic skills and techniques before planning and making their own piece of art based on what they have learned. Year on year, the children's learning builds on the skills and knowledge learned before, and as they progress through the school children have repeated opportunities to develop the key areas of drawing, painting, collage, printing, 3-d art and textiles.

In Reception, through our continuous and enhanced provision, children are able to explore a wide range of media and learn foundational skills such as holding a pencil correctly, using scissors, moulding dough and joining materials with glue and tape. In keeping with the rest of the school, our EYFS curriculum also introduces the children to the work of different artists such as Gustav Kilmt and Katsushika Hokusai.

Impact

Teachers assess children's learning throughout the Unit in order to ensure key knowledge and skills are being acquired.  At the end of each Unit, teachers will use each child's final piece to assess overall attainment for that Unit. The Art Subject Leader monitors the subject through regular opportunities to look at planning, children's work in books, learning walks and pupil voice.

At Crowthorne C of E School, we want the impact of our Art curriculum to be that:

• children have developed a wide range of artistic skills and techniques
• children know about a diverse range of artists and cultural styles
• children can transfer skills learned in art to support their learning in other subjects, such as applying drawing skills when creating diagrams in science
• children enjoy working creatively and are confident to express their own ideas in their own way