The purpose of studying art at Noak Bridge Primary School follows the purpose as outlined in the National Curriculum:

“Art, craft, and design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. A high-quality art and design education should engage, inspire, and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft, and design. As they 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.”                                                           - National Curriculum

Intent

Art has a very important place in our curriculum. We see art as a vehicle for creativity, individual expression and it can be used to enrich and extend the teaching of other subjects. We believe that art should be taught as an individual subject as well as incorporated into other curriculum lessons.

It has become increasingly important to offer our children a range of experiences and opportunities within school that they may not access outside of the setting. We want to inspire children to be creative and offer experiences as part of a broad curriculum which encompasses the arts and exposes children to different cultures.

Our Art curriculum provides children with opportunities to generate and develop their own original ideas using a range of media materials and processes; to explore and evaluate different creative ideas. Children will be introduced to a range of works and develop knowledge of famous artists, crafts and designers.

In Art, children are expected to be reflective and evaluate their work, thinking about how they can make changes and keep improving. Children are encouraged to take risks, experiment, and then reflect on why some ideas and techniques are successful or not for a particular project.

Teaching and Learning

We believe pupils should be taught to develop their skills, knowledge, techniques, including their control and their use of materials, with creativity, experimentation, and an increasing awareness of different kinds of art, craft, and design. Pupils use sketch books to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas.

Process

• Introduction to the artist/ art form/ technique/ skill/ style (subject) to be studied
• Use sketch books to explore media, refine ideas, develop skills and techniques
• Use a range of materials and media to develop art and design skills and techniques
• Produce a piece of work in the style of the subject studied
• Evaluate work, making links and comparisons between theirs and the subject studied

Our art curriculum is an experiential one which gives children the opportunity to work on their own, collaborate with others, on projects in two and three dimensions and on different scales. Children have the opportunity to explore and use a wide range of materials and resources, including ICT. Teachers draw attention to good examples and provide feedback so children can keep improving. They encourage children to evaluate their own ideas and methods, the work of others, and say what they think and feel about them.

Children develop their ability to learn and apply knowledge at different rates. Individual children will be supported by feedback, relevant questions and /or demonstrations from the teacher - these interventions will increase their thinking, extend the range of options that may be considered and raise individual standards.

Our teaching approach:

• High quality teaching - staff have high expectations of all children.
• Emphasising key learning and key vocabulary.
• Providing constructive feedback to children.
• Setting common tasks that are open ended, provide challenge and can have a variety of responses.
• We encourage creativity.
• Using additional adults to support the work of individual children or small groups, where appropriate.

We also:

• Display and celebrate the pupils’ artwork in their class, around the school and on the school website.
• Organise experts and outside visitors to lead workshops and /or assemblies to inspire and motivate the children.
• Organise or enter art competitions – in house, locally or nationally.
• Hold an ‘Arts Week’ every year and we create an art gallery to showcase our work to the school community.

Pupils are encouraged to develop their artistic skills and interests outside of the school day.

Early Years Foundation stage

We relate the creative development of the children to the objectives set out in the Early Learning Goals, which underpins the curriculum planning for children in Reception, specifically within expressive arts and design. The children’s learning includes art, music, dance, role-play and imaginative play. The range of experience encourages children to make connections between one area of learning and another and so extends their understanding.

We provide an environment which encourages and values creativity. Children experience a wide range of activities that they respond to, using the various senses. The activities that they take part in are imaginative and enjoyable.