National curriculum Art and design programmes of study: Key Stage 1
- Purpose of study 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 pupils 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.
- The national curriculum for art and design aims to ensure that all pupils: produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.
Intent
At Village Infants we believe that high-quality art lessons should engage, inspire and challenge all pupils. Art and Design is an integral part of the school curriculum and is embedded into the planning and may be taught discretely or as part of a wider topic. Our art lessons allow pupils to use and apply their art knowledge and understanding to challenge themselves and each other to develop their skills further.
Our art lessons provide active, hands on learning using cross curricular links to create enriching purposeful learning opportunities. We encourage all pupils to experiment, plan and create their own works of art, craft and design.
Implementation
At Village Infants, Art allows children to express their creative imagination using a variety of techniques, methods and media. Well planned Art lessons provide pupils with opportunities to practise and develop their own artistic skills in the key processes of Art: drawing, painting, printing, textiles and sculpture. This is supported by the study of a diverse range of artists, past and present, male and female.
At Village Infants art is taught, focusing on knowledge and skills as stated in the National Curriculum. Each pupil has their own Sketchbook as evidence for their creative ideas. Work collected in a pupils Sketchbook follows them through reception to Year 2. Photographs of larger pieces of work or group work can also be found in their Sketchbook or the class floor book. Learning objectives are shared with the children and referred to throughout art lessons. Our school values are referenced through the actions of significant artists both past and present, supporting the pupils understanding of the importance of perseverance and resilience to move towards their achievements.
At Village Infants the development of key art skills has been mapped to ensure progression between year groups throughout the school. Pupils at Village Infants are taught to see themselves as artists, developing their skills. Lessons focus on pupil progress, development of their knowledge and their acquired skills when evaluating their work. Also pupils are encouraged to think critically and develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for art and design in all its forms. Lessons explore work by famous artists and designers and create their own interpretations. Pupils are encouraged to talk about works of art alongside their own and that of their peers using subject specific vocabulary to communicate their feelings.
Art vocabulary is planned and taught progressively across the Art curriculum. Children learn to talk and think like an artist using art vocabulary to critique other works of art, their own and that of their peers. Our Art curriculum is focused on providing our pupils with enriching opportunities to explore and enhance their art skills, from painting using different medias, to sculpting. Lessons and experiences are planned to expose children to different artists from a range of backgrounds, cultures as well as different artistic styles.
Impact
Pupils at Village Infants talk positively about their art lessons and are excited and engaged in their learning. As they move through the school they learn that art is about expression, that we are all artists with artistic choice. Teachers use the school grounds as well as the local park to explore art in nature, allowing our children to talk about art in all of its forms.
Our curriculum helps to foster natural curiosity, reinforcing our Growth Mindset approach to all aspects of learning. Parents have commented on the art vocabulary their children use at home based on lessons they have been taught. At Village Infants we create safe spaces for children to develop their own artistic style and voice. Pupils openly discuss works of art expressing preferences, as a result pupils become more confident in analysing and sharing their opinion of their own and others art work.
