Art

Aims 

At Parkwood Primary, Art is fully inclusive to every child. Our aims are to fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum for Art and Design, providing a broad and balanced curriculum, which ensures the progressive development of knowledge and skills from EYFS to Year 6. This in turn enables children to observe and record from first-hand experience and from imagination, developing the children’s competence in controlling materials and tools. Pupils at Parkwood acquire knowledge and become proficient in various Art and Design techniques and processes.  Children explore ideas and meanings through studying the work of artists and designers. Through learning about the roles and functions of art, they can explore the impact it has had on contemporary life and on different periods and cultures. 

Intent 

The curriculum of Art and Design in our school:  

• Engages, inspires and challenges pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design.  

• Supports the children to progress through school, they should begin 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.  

• Encourages creative work that enables pupils to explore their ideas and record their experiences. 

• Supports pupils to become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques. 

• Re-teaches skills throughout the children’s time in school. Skills are revisited and honed, in a spiral curriculum, which progresses in terms of depth and challenge, to build on the children’s previous learning. 

• Expects the pupils to evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design.  

• Utilises a sketchbook approach, so that children feel safe to experiment and take risks, without the fear of doing something “wrong”. 

• Links art as closely as possible to the topic for the term, to ensure relevance and context 

• Exposes pupils to great artists, craft makers and designers, and helps children understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms. 

• Celebrates effort, progress and achievement in art through displays, class assemblies, Art Week, enrichment activities and competitions. 

Implementation 

We ensure high standards of teaching and learning in Art and Design by implementing a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school from Nursery to Year 6; this curriculum has been designed by Parkwood staff who know the needs of our pupils best. Art and design lessons are taught by the class teachers, focusing on knowledge and skills as stated in the National Curriculum. EYFS cover skills as stated in the ‘Development Matters’ framework giving them the starting point that ensures they ready for KS1 and beyond. At Parkwood, in KS1 and KS2, we ensure that Art and Design is given the same importance as other subjects by timetabling weekly lessons that build skills over a half term, resulting in a final piece of work. These pieces of art are then proudly showcased in our corridor displays so they can be appreciated by all.   Pupils are given opportunities to practically use their skills in context e.g. Parkwood’s annual Christmas card design.  As part of ‘Parkwood’s Fantastic 50’ children will have an opportunity to experience art and design on educational visits where they explore local museums/art galleries.