Art

Art Vision Intent Statement:

Picasso said....'Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.’

At Bradley Barton school, we aim for all of the children to develop themselves personally and creatively through a variety of media. Through our Art and design curriculum we aim to engage, inspire and challenge pupils through a knowledge and skill-based curriculum. We aim to ensure all children are given exposure to the arts by looking at a variety of artists from past to present. Children are taught skills and knowledge progressively from Nursery through to year six. This ensures continuity and enables them to develop continually through the school. Children's art skills are challenged through reflections, continual dialogue, self-critiquing and justifying their chosen media and desired effect. 

Children see editing and improving their art pieces as a pleasurable struggle, always seeking to improve and fine tune their chosen creative piece of work. Children are afforded opportunities to work with a variety of media and encouraged to use their creativity to demonstrate the skills they have learnt in class. Our school values are at the heart of our curriculum and all that we do at Bradley Barton.

During their time at Bradley Barton children will gain confidence and ability to express themselves creatively through their artwork. We provide experience of working in a wide range of mediums and understanding of artistic techniques and vocabulary to support this. Children will learn and discuss their own work and techniques, as well as those of other artists, including local artists.  There is a focus on sustainability and links to the environment, taking in to account the rural location and school’s site and green spaces.

Implementation:

In Art and Design, we implement an inclusive curriculum that meets the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum.

Our curriculum is well-planned and makes links with other subject areas, to enhance children’s learning. Through our programme of study, children develop their talents across the six key areas (drawing, painting, textiles, 3D, printing and collage) which provides a rounded curriculum with extensive opportunities to develop knowledge and skills in Art and Design. 

Within each Art and Design unit, children build on their prior learning to extend their knowledge, skills and techniques.  A series of engaging lessons are planned around an artist, craft maker or designer, which provides a stimulus to support the development of their own work. Children are given the opportunity to develop the language of art and explore working within their individual sketchbooks. Post learning discussions and evaluations are planned to demonstrate progress, knowledge and understanding whilst also giving children a voice. Teachers assess learning in Art and Design against knowledge and skills-based learning objectives within Unit Overviews.

Our curriculum is delivered through highly effective ‘quality first teaching’. Enrichment opportunities, including outdoor learning, visitors, educational visits and events, provide our children with varied experiences and enhance teaching, learning and knowledge.  The National Curriculum states that ‘as pupils progress, they should be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design. They should also know how art and design both reflect and shape our history and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation.’

Our Art and Design curriculum promotes our School curriculum, ensuring that they are reflective and responsible citizens. Fundamental British Values are actively promoted in Art and Design lessons in order to prepare the children for life in Modern Britain.

Impact:

Our Art and Design curriculum ensures that children are able to build on their knowledge, skills and techniques across their school life and are proud to celebrate their work within school and in the wider community. Through the breadth and depth that our curriculum offers, our children are well-equipped in Art and Design for the next stage in their education. Our curriculum enables children to become creative and lifelong learners.

In EYFS, art starts in Nursery with printing, mark making drawings and painting with poster paints. Children can choose art as a ‘free flow

activity’ and there are plenty of opportunities for children to access paints, colour mixing, drawing using pencils, pens, crayons and chalks. Children have opportunity to experiment using different surfaces for their art, such as pavements, sand, paper, cardboard and wall paper. Art supplies are readily available for them to access and they are encouraged to complete adult led and independent art activities on a daily basis.

All children access ’Write Dance’ on a daily basis, this is a programme, which supports children with the development of their gross and fine motor skills with the final aim being representative drawings and beautiful handwriting.

From Year 1 to Year 6, we use the National Curriculum to plan art. We identify what the children need to learn and the skills they need to acquire through the yearly progression maps. These are inside each child’s sketch book. Skills set are categorized into Foundation ’primary colours,’ KS1 ’secondary colours’ and KS2 ’Tertiary colours.’ Children also have the opportunity to study artists through the Outdoor Classroom and take part in many creative activities linked to these artists.

Each child is issued with an A4 'art journal' which will show the skills taught in class, alongside any pieces of artwork.

In EYFS, art starts in Nursery with printing, mark making drawings and painting with poster paints. Children can choose art as a ‘free flow

activity’ and there are plenty of opportunities for children to access paints, colour mixing, drawing using pencils, pens, crayons and chalks. Children have opportunity to experiment using different surfaces for their art, such as pavements, sand, paper, cardboard and wall paper. Art supplies are readily available for them to access and they are encouraged to complete adult led and independent art activities on a daily basis.

All children access ’Write Dance’ on a daily basis, this is a programme, which supports children with the development of their gross and fine motor skills with the final aim being representative drawings and beautiful handwriting.

From Year 1 to Year 6, we use the National Curriculum to plan art. We identify what the children need to learn and the skills they need to acquire through the yearly progression maps. These are inside each child’s sketch book. Skills set are categorized into Foundation ’primary colours,’ KS1 ’secondary colours’ and KS2 ’Tertiary colours.’ Children also have the opportunity to study artists through the Outdoor Classroom and take part in many creative activities linked to these artists.

Each child is issued with an A4 'art journal' which will show the skills taught in class, alongside any pieces of artwork.

Art and Design is led by Heidi Hammond.

The National Curriculum states:

As pupils progress, they should be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design. They should also know how art and design both reflect and shape our history and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation.

Children's learning