Art and Design
Art Curriculum Intent
Link to National Curriculum Art and Design Programme of Study.
“Art is not just a subject to learn, but an activity that you can practise with your hands, your eyes, your whole personality.” Quentin Blake
At All Saints School, our Art and Design education engages, inspires and challenges pupils while equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. Our Art and Design curriculum is taught as part of termly projects where children are taught artist skills and apply these in a cross-curricular and purposeful way. Although taught in a cross-curricular way, this does not weaken the focus on the development of artistic skills and knowledge which remain the focus of teaching within an Art and Design lesson. With art, craft and design being some of the highest forms of human creativity we promote a range of different medium as part of our art and design curriculum. These include: painting, collage, sculpture, drawing, printing, textiles and digital media. Children will also learn about key artists in history and locally and learn how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation. As children progress, they will be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design.
Units of work usually start with teachers introducing a new and significant artist or piece of artwork whilst drawing on prior knowledge, skills and understanding. This is intended to ensure learning is more meaningful, and pupils’ ability to make links and draw comparisons with and between previous learning is strengthened. Typically, once children have closely observed, evaluated and analysed this piece of artwork children will learn, practise and have the opportunity to refine artistic skills and techniques relating to the medium taught. Children will then apply their knowledge and skills when designing, producing and evaluating their own work to reflect their understanding. Our Art and Design curriculum is carefully designed to ensure that children’s prior knowledge is revisited and built upon. As part of painting, children in Year 1 are taught about primary colours and experiment with mixing these to create secondary colours needed to produce a picture of a woodland creature. This knowledge is then revisited in Year 2 where the children mix primary colours as part of a colour march piece of art. Then in Year 5, children will learn that artists mix tints and shades of colour to show light, dark, colour brightness and intensity through their artwork. Children will show the dark and light areas of a chosen plant or flower, and colour intensity in their own pieces inspired by the artist Georgia O’Keeffe who is well known for her detailed flower paintings.
How can I support my child with Art and Design?
- Be Creative
Try to give your children opportunities to use different types of drawing and painting resources at home to allow them to express themselves creatively and explore creating art using different materials. Paints, chalk, crayons, pens, pencils, modelling clay and much more can be found in discount shops.
- Keep a Sketch Book
Encourage your child to keep a sketch book where they can record their art. This could include pieces of art which they have produced such as sketches and painting or could be used the scrapbook ideas which inspire them.
- Celebrate your child's Art
Praise your child’s creations and encourage them not to get disheartened if they feel they have made ‘mistakes’. Explain that art is about being creative and trying out different things and that there is no right or wrong way to do things. You could even display their art around the house or create a gallery in their bedroom.
- Discuss and Enjoy Art Together
We are extremely lucky to have local art galleries or museums that you could visit with your child. Encourage them to talk about what they see and to share their opinions about colours, tone, texture and the materials used.
