Art & Design

Art and design is a practical, and creative subject. Through their active participation pupils learn to explore their imagination, generate ideas, acquire skills and apply judgement. It is also a subject in which pupils develop their knowledge and understanding as well as their skills. They learn about the materials and techniques they use and about the world of art, craft and design, recognising the achievements of artists, designers and craftspeople from many different times and cultures.

Art, craft and design is a subject that gives pupils the opportunity to express ideas attitudes and values. It is a means of communication that plays a significant role in our lives and which pupils will have used from a very early age. It develops and encourages critical and creative thinking. As such it lends itself readily to enriching, extending and consolidating learning in a variety of curriculum contexts.
The subject often contributes to cross-curricular programmes and to various events and activities in the school calendar. These opportunities support learning in art, craft and design. However, the knowledge, skills and understanding that are necessary to make appropriate progress in the subject need to be planned and developed systematically. Pupils require sufficient time to develop mastery of skills and opportunities to create learning outcomes. Art, craft and design is a subject that engages with pupils’ imagination and which values originality. It provides opportunities to celebrate and explore feelings and ideas expressed by pupils and by the artists, designers and crafts people that are studied.

Teaching and learning takes place most effectively in an environment that celebrates innovation and is sensitive to personal feelings, values and attitudes. Drawing is fundamental to learning and expression in all aspects of art, craft and design. Drawing can be precise and accurate or expressive and descriptive, able to convey subtle nuances of meaning. Drawing is used to research, record and gather information from observation, memory and other visual sources. Drawing helps to organise thinking and give form to imaginative ideas, as well as being used to solve problems. Drawing also communicates ideas and meaning and can be both a fundamental part of the design and development process, as well as a creative product itself.

The National Curriculum
The National Curriculum defines four essential aims for the subject.
The National Curriculum for Art and Design (2014) has the following aims.
That all pupils should:

1. Produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences
2. Become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques
3. Evaluate and analyse artistic works using the language of art, craft and design
4. Know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical development of their art forms

Art Curriculum Map

Art in EYFS

By the end of Year 6, Ashleigh children will be able to talk confidently about art using the correct art and design terminology. They will be able to critique art work, talking about artist choices, techniques and the medium used.  

 They will have acquired knowledge of a range of great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms. 

They will be able to produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences in their own sketchbook. Children will become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques. 

• Pupils will know the names of at least six great artists, architects and designers.
• Pupils will know and recognise a range of art movements and periods from history.
• Pupils will be able to critique, analyse and talk about art work, artists and art movements using specific and technical vocabulary.
• Pupils will know how to record their knowledge, thought processes, design and creativity in a sketchbook.
• Pupils will develop and refine their skills in a wide range of art & design techniques.
• Pupils will know how to use their skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art & design.
• Pupils will experience a range of media including: watercolour, acrylic, pencils, soft pastels, oil pastels, chalk and charcoal, collage, junk modelling, clay, mod rock, textile, print making, digital art, photography and sculpture.
• Pupils will visit an art gallery/museum to appreciate, critique and be influenced by great works of art.
• Pupils in KS2 will develop their use of a scrapbook to record their ideas.
• Pupils will host a whole school art exhibition.
• Pupils will create artwork for a specific purpose/whole school exhibition at least once a year.
• Pupils will be given the opportunity to meet and work with real artists, craft makers, designers or architects, either in school or visiting their studio/workshops/place of work.
• Pupils will be given the opportunity to exhibit their work in school and the wider community.