Art and Design

"With God, all things are possible" Matthew 19:26

“Art is not just a subject to learn, but an activity that you can practise with your hands, your eyes, your whole personality.” Quentin Blake 

At Crowton, we aim to provide a high-quality art and design education, which not only engages, inspires and challenges pupils, but will also equip them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. We want our children to see themselves as artists and think critically about art. It is our intention to teach our children so they will find enjoyment in creative art, find a sense of purpose, achievement and fulfilment in artistic expression and develop skills and use a range of materials and techniques competently.

Our children will learn to study and record the world around them analytically and will develop the appropriate vocabulary to help them understand and discuss their own work and that of others and they will be encouraged to appreciate and evaluate the work of a range of artists from their own and other cultures. We provide opportunities for children to explore art, not just in designated art lessons, but also across the curriculum wherever appropriate in order to bring topics to life. We celebrate the art created by our children, showcasing it proudly around our school, as well as exhibiting it for the wider school community to enjoy. 

Intent

Our Art and Design curriculum is based around the principles of evidence-led practice. This is to ensure that pupils are equipped to successfully think, work and communicate like an artist. Art and Design stimulates creativity and imagination. It provides visual, tactile and sensory experiences, and a special way of understanding and responding to the world. It enables children to communicate through the use of colour, texture, form, pattern and different materials and processes.

At Crowton, we will ensure our children become creative artists by making sure they meet the National Curriculum expectations, to:
• produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences
• become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques
• evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design
• know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.

Our Art curriculum is organised into blocks with each block covering a particular set of artistic disciplines including drawing, painting, printmaking, textiles, 3D and collage. Vertical progression in each discipline has been deliberately woven into the fabric of the curriculum so that pupils can revisit key disciplines throughout their Primary journey at increasing degrees of challenge and complexity. In addition to the core knowledge required to be successful within each discipline, the curriculum outlines key aspects of artistic development in the Working Artistically section.

Each module will focus on developing different aspects of these competencies. This will support teachers in understanding pupils’ development as artists more broadly, as well as how successfully they are acquiring the taught knowledge and skills. Teaching and learning follows our ‘Six Phases of Learning’ model to ensure that learning: connects to prior learning; is taught explicitly; children are given time and support to understand and deepen their learning and are challenged appropriately. Our curriculum is rich in vocabulary, knowledge and skills that are progressive and transferable.

We aim for every child to develop a love and appreciation of art and believe it is important every child feels they have their chance to shine and that their work is valued and appreciated by adults and peers alike. Children will complete an artist study for each art technique explored. Children will explore a range of stimuli and will be given opportunity to respond in meaningful ways to them. 

Implementation

Our clear, cumulative curriculum is taught through our six phases of learning, so that every child has equal opportunity to learn the rich vocabulary, knowledge and skills in a clear progressive manner. Pupils are explicitly taught the vocabulary, knowledge and skills required then are supported and challenged to learn, use and deepen their understanding accordingly. This knowledge is included in a knowledge organiser and taught using knowledge notes.

Our curriculum covers a broad range of artistic techniques, styles, and historical and cultural contexts and is designed around the exploration of a key artist that has exemplified the art technique. Time is taken to ask questions, appreciate, comment and discuss the art. Key vocabulary is then introduced that will be needed and used throughout the unit. 

Children will have time to experiment, explore and use trial and error to develop technique skills. Children then practise the application of mediums using taught techniques. The elements of art built upon are: line, tone, colour, shape, form, pattern and texture. The skills and techniques in art that are built upon are painting, drawing, printing, collage, textile and sculpture. Children then produce a final piece in the style of their artist. Through our teaching and learning of art, all pupils have a positive view of the subject and are able to enthusiastically demonstrate their creativity using a variety of skills and art elements.

The art curriculum delivery is equitable and appropriate for all groups ensuring full access and parity for all pupils. Children are supported when necessary to enable full access to their learning in art and the most able are challenged to ensure everyone can fulfil their potential within the subject. The use of knowledge notes allows teachers to make reasonable adjustment for pupils with SEND / EHCP to help make sense of the content. We have
created our own long-term sequence that is rich and progressive in knowledge and vocabulary to clearly outline what pupils should know, be able to do and remember at key points in their primary education (end of: EY, KS1, KS2).

In KS1, pupils will use a range of materials creatively to design and make products, use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination. They will begin to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space which are woven into our different blocks of study. They will learn about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers including Albrecht Drurer, Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky and many more. Pupils will be able to describe the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines and making links to their own work.

Learning in KS2, pupils will create sketch books to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas. They will connect previous learning and improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials [for example, pencil, charcoal, paint, clay]. Artists they will discover will include Giorgio Morandi, Georgia O’Keeffe, Frida Kahlo and Pablo Picasso.

Teachers assess children’s work in Art by observing them work during lessons. Verbal feedback is offered throughout the lesson, whilst not compromising a child’s creativity. Artwork is marked at the end of the unit of work in each child’s Art sketchbook, with teachers providing comments which refer to the child’s use of the skills and techniques taught. 

Impact

Ongoing assessments take place throughout the year. Teachers use this information to inform future lessons; ensuring children are supported and challenged appropriately. This data is analysed on a termly basis to inform and address any trends or gaps in attainment. Children in EYFS are assessed within Expressive Arts and Design and their progress is tracked and age related expectation levels are reported to parents at the end of the reception year.
Our Art and Design curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression. We focus on progression of knowledge and skills and vocabulary progression also forms part of the units of work. We use sketch books from Key Stage 1 to enable children to explore ideas and practise skills and keep a record of their learning.

Pupils demonstrate a deepening understanding of different artistic techniques and concepts as well as a growing ability to express themselves creatively and critically engage with their own and others' work. Children produce artwork they are proud of that demonstrates mastery of small steps for their key stage. When exploring a variety of artists, pupils develop a love of aesthetics and an appreciation of art. They demonstrate their willingness to take risks and experiment and their growing confidence as young artists.

We celebrate and recognise pupils' artistic achievements, through displays, exhibitions, and opportunities for pupils to share their work with their peers, parents, and the wider community. This contributes to a school culture that values and celebrates the arts as an integral part of pupils' education. The assessment of pupils is formative based on pupil outcomes and questioning from each lesson.