Art and Design

Intent

At Woodlands primary school, we value Art and Design as an important part of the children’s entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum. We have developed and adapted a high quality Art and Design curriculum to meet the needs of our children. This will engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. Our curriculum specialises in drawing, with each unit of work having opportunities to develop skills in drawing. 

As pupils progress through school they will build on their knowledge and prior learning to reach clear end points. They will become proficient in the skill areas of painting, collage, printing and sculpting and understanding the visual elements of Art and Design (pattern, colour, texture, tone, shape, line) so that they are able to prepare for opportunities in secondary school. 

Opportunity will be given to all pupils, including year 6, those with SEND and vulnerable children, to foster enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts and develop a knowledge of significant artists, craftspeople and designers; developing their ability to think critically, discuss and evaluate artists, craft makers and designers work using the language of Art and Design. 

We endeavour to widen pupils' knowledge of great artists, craft makers and designers through studying a diverse range of male and female artists, craft makers and designers throughout history and of differing cultural heritages. We plan first hand opportunities to provide all pupils with the opportunity to see art work within local art galleries widening the pupils cultural capital and were possible have included famous local craft movements and artists.

Implementation

The teaching and implementation of the Art and Design curriculum at Woodlands Primary school is based on the National Curriculum. It is taught as a discrete subject on a termly basis with a knowledge engaged approach. This allows the pupils to gain knowledge and skills in the key skill areas of painting, collage, printing and sculpting. The unit plans for each term cover one of the main skill areas with some units combining two or more skill areas. The units of work are sequential in that the skills and techniques being taught build upon the pupils prior learning. All units of work are based around a key artwork either an artist, craft maker or designer. The artwork is used as a stimulus for discussion and practical work and provides opportunity to develop key subject specific vocabulary and information about the artist, craft maker or designer. Each unit allows pupils to discover first hand the potential of media and techniques whilst subtly developing control of a range of art tools and materials before building up to and completing a final piece. The skills and knowledge that the children will develop throughout each unit are mapped across each year group and throughout the school to ensure progression and a clear end point. The evidence of their work is collected within the art sketchbook which follows the pupil throughout the school. Photographs of larger, group or 3D pieces are also kept within this book. The children’s work is further enhanced by whole school art days and projects and visiting artists, craft makers and designers as well as trips to galleries. 

Impact 

As a result of delivering a high quality curriculum all pupils will have embedded the key art and design knowledge, skills and cultural capital needed to allow them to be ready for the next stage in their education. Pupils at Woodlands will become creative learners, who have a web of knowledge about the great artists, craft makers and designers of the world. They will be reflective and evaluate their own and others work, thinking about how they can make changes to keep improving. They will understand and demonstrate artistic skills through the work produced, developing mastery of art and design techniques, evidenced in their sketchbooks. They will have also acquired subject related vocabulary which pupils will use confidently and will be transferable across the whole curriculum.