Art

Art at Prince Rock

Intent

At Prince Rock, our objective is that all our children develop a clear knowledge and understanding of what art is and the variety of concepts within it. We aim to teach a range of knowledge and skills that will equip our children to be able to use their creativity to express themselves through their artwork. We also aim to demonstrate how these skills can then be applied to a wider world context such as creating their own art exhibitions for the community to view. We also encourage our children to develop an understanding that the skills they acquire can translate into careers and that everyone can be an artist of the future. They learn that the potters they see in the high street begun by learning the skills they are leaning when they were in school. They learn that the artists that exhibit their work in galleries begun developing their skills at school, and importantly, they learn this is within their reach if it is something that interests them. We teach them to believe in their capability and to work hard to achieve these goals. High quality teaching, focusing on the progression of skills, ensures this knowledge is embedded throughout the school. Within our art curriculum disadvantaged groups, as well as SEND and EAL children, can access the curriculum through the small steps progression of skills.

Implementation

Each term children are developing their knowledge of artists and art skills through weekly art lessons. In KS1 and KS2 each unit follows the art process of RESEARCH, SKILL, PLAN, CREATE, EVALUATE. This enables the children to develop a deeper understanding of how artists work, art concepts and a range of skills which are progressive throughout their time at our school. Age-appropriate knowledge organisers are used to support the children in learning, understanding and retrieving key knowledge in each unit. They are shared with the children in every lesson and are also in their sketch books to refer to.

Below are examples of each taken from years 1 and 6.

EYFS

In the EYFS, children have regular opportunities to engage with, and learn about, the arts through Expressive Arts and Design (Both 'Creating with Materials' and 'Being Imaginative and Expressive'). They learn how to create purposeful marks and use line to create form. They will use paint, pencils, brushes and other media to create, in order to reflect both what they can see and what they can imagine. Examples of the children's art work are regularly added to the EYFS learning journey.

Key Stage One

In Key Stage 1 the children will learn to use a range of different materials and skills. They will draw, paint, collage, print and sculpture materials to develop techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form, and space. Children will use technology to produce images. They will also learn about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers. All children from years 1-6 will use a sketchbook to record ideas and observations.

Key Stage Two

In Key Stage 2 the children will learn to improve their mastery of art and design techniques by learning specific drawing, painting, printing and sculpture techniques. They will experience using a wider range of materials. Children will use technology to produce images, patterns and decorative pieces of work. They will record their observations and ideas and use them to review and evaluate improvements. They will also learn about great artists, architects and designers in history.

Our aim is to maintain a fun, enjoyable, balanced and rich Art curriculum that promotes independence, initiative and originality to develop creativity. Pupils reflect on, analyse and critically evaluate their own work and that of other pupils and creative practitioners as they develop an understanding of work that is uniquely meaningful to them.

Impact

Children record their learning on high quality art paper in their sketch books which is an ongoing resource to demonstrate their progress in this subject. Progression in Art is supported through revisiting a range of key concepts and skills throughout their time at Prince Rock. Children learn and build upon these skills from EYFS to year 6, revisiting the key knowledge needed through retrieval opportunities. Responsive teaching is a key factor in delivering art to ensure the children are confident with both the skills needed and knowledge of key art concepts to enable them to be successful artists. Assessment takes place through listening to children’s responses and contributions to discussions and evaluating each stage of our art units (Research, skill, plan, create, evaluate). Children also have opportunities to talk about their learning and to express their thoughts alongside their artwork. An age-related assessment will be given to parents / carers on reports.

Enrichment

Overall, the art and design we offer to our children aims to instil a lifelong love of the art, an appreciation of how this high form of creativity touches every part of our lives and to equip them with the knowledge, skills and confidence to become (or at least appreciate) the artists of the future. To support this, we also offer a variety of enrichment activities: art clubs, projects and art in the local community.

We also further develop and celebrate art in whole school art days. Our collaborative work then forms wonderful displays around our school.

We also have our ‘Crazy Glue’ family art group which links local artists and authors to members of our community. This group has been working closely with local artist Simon James on projects which merge storytelling and the arts. They most recently created a social story online book about an area close to school. They are now taking part in a further project alongside the Max Literacy Award.

We have recently been awarded the Artsmark Gold award which has enabled us to showcase all the wonderful opportunities our children have to express themselves and get involved with art in all its forms.