Intent

At Barwic Parade Community Primary School, we have designed our Art curriculum in line with the school's overall vision and values, promoting resilience, tolerance, creativity and the understanding that art is subjective. By developing an appreciation and understanding of different forms of art, we aim for our pupils to enhance their cultural capital, challenging any preconceptions and introducing them to the many ways in which art and design skills can be utilised in their future endeavours.  

Our art curriculum is designed to ensure that our pupils develop key knowledge and skills in the following areas: drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, printing and digital media. Our curriculum is carefully sequenced to build upon prior learning, enabling pupils to make connections and to develop the ability to explore and experiment with the skills taught in new and innovative ways, creating unique and personal works of art. It provides opportunities for revisiting key learning as well as making links to other areas of the wider curriculum.

We have identified key "Characteristics of an Artist" that we aim for our pupils to embody, including the ability to draw and create with increasing knowledge and skill, evaluating their own work and that of others and speaking confidently about different artistic inspiration.

Implementation

• Art teaching is alternated with Design and Technology every half term; each phase follows the set overview which builds in links to other areas of the curriculum where relevant.
• Art lessons are 1 hour per week and are taught as part of our mixed-age curriculum.
• Curriculum medium term plans outline the specific knowledge to be covered within each unit of work.
• Knowledge organisers are in place which match the knowledge outlined in the medium term plans. These are used to support teachers with assessment of artistic knowledge.
• Artistic skill coverage is specified within each medium term plan and a progression of skills outlines how these develop throughout the school.
• Substantive and disciplinary knowledge/skills are grouped under the following topics: Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Collage, Digital Media and Printing. There is also ‘Explore, evaluate and works of artists’.
• Children record their learning in sketch books which follow them up through the school. Photo evidence is taken of 3D projects, e.g. sculpture.
• All units of work begin with a recap of previous key knowledge and skills, including specific art vocabulary.
• Art learning is celebrated in school through the use of displays and class assemblies.

Impact

Our successful approach to the teaching and learning of art will result in pupils having the following characteristics at Barwic Parade:

• Be passionate about art, showing enthusiasm and curiosity in their learning.
• Be able to analyse and think critically, reflecting on their own work and that of others.
• Show an awareness of different art movements and styles, exploring these within their own work.
• Be confident and adventurous in their artistic processes, expressing emotions, creativity and observations.
• Demonstrate a good understanding of different artistic skills and techniques.
• Select and use materials, processes and techniques skilfully and inventively.
• Demonstrate a good knowledge of a range of other artists, craft makers and designers.
• Speak clearly and informatively about art topics, using the appropriate vocabulary and making links across different units and years of study.

Teachers will use regular mini quizzes, discussions and cross-curricular links to revisit learning and aid the process of moving pupils’ knowledge to their long-term memories. Teachers will use Otrack at the end of the year to assess pupils’ attainment and progress in art skills.