Art
Intent
At Cheddar First School, we value Art as an important part of the children’s entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum. Art provides the children with the opportunities to develop and extend skills and an opportunity to express their individual interests, thought and ideas. A high-quality art education should engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art. As pupils progress, they should be able to think critically about different artists and artwork. Pupils should also know how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture and creativity of countries.
Implementation
Each teacher is responsible for teaching Art lessons; this is often linked to their current History or Geography work, or taught as a standalone lesson. The art and design projects are well sequenced to provide a coherent subject scheme that develops children’s skills and knowledge of visual elements, art forms, artists and art movements. Projects are placed alongside other subject projects where there are opportunities for making meaningful connections. For example, Beautiful Botanicals has been placed in the same teaching sequence as the science project Plants.
There are opportunities for children to be involved with Art and Crafts extra-curricular activities throughout the year, usually linked to festivals/celebrations. As a school, we are currently introducing more whole school Art experiences, with the help of local artists visiting and working with the children. This allows our children to extend their skills further and to establish themselves as an artist.
Year Group | Curriculum Maestro Art Overview |
KS1 | In Key Stage 1, each autumn term begins with the colour project Mix It. The teaching of this project in Years 1 and 2 enables children to be introduced to and then revisit colour theory and provides plentiful opportunities for children to explore primary and secondary colours. Year 1 begins by exploring themes directly related to the children themselves, such as their facial features, the surrounding natural world and their local community. In Year 2, the projects expand children’s artistic horizons to study a more comprehensive range of artists, artistic movements and creative techniques. |
KS2 | Each autumn term begins with the colour project Contrast and Complement. In Years 3 and 4, the teaching of this project enables children to build on their previous understanding of colour and further develop their expertise by studying theory. In Year 3, children expand their experiences to study a broader range of art forms, artists and genres. They also begin to study art from specific and diverse periods of history, including prehistoric pottery and Roman mosaics. Other genres studied in Year 3 build on previous techniques learned in Key Stage 1 and include more complex techniques in printmaking, drawing, painting and textiles. In Year 4, children develop more specialised techniques in drawing, painting, printmaking and sculpture. They explore ways in which ancient cultures have influenced art and crafts by studying, for example, medieval weaving techniques and the religious significance of Islamic art. |
Impact
- Teachers have high expectations and quality evidence of Art and design work.
- Children are confident to critique and evaluate their own artwork and the artwork of others.
- The school environment reflects the children’s sense of pride in their artwork and the progression of skills being developed from reception to Year 4.
- When children leave Cheddar First School they will have learned, improved and embedded a range of artistic skills.