Intent

‘Art has the role in education of helping children become like themselves instead of more like everyone else’ - Sydney Gurewitz Clemens  

At St John’s creativity is valued as much as literacy. We believe art and design is a vital part of the curriculum; helping to develop and encourage our children’s individual creativity, self-esteem, enabling them to reach their full potential.  Whilst at St John’s, pupils will not only be equipped with the minimum statutory requirements of the Art and Design National Curriculum, they will be enabled to develop an understanding of their own and others’ cultures through studying a range of artists and media. This includes past and present, national and global, BAME and female artists, craft makers and designers. Children will widen their visual vocabulary through art – enabling them to respond and enjoy expressing their ideas, feelings and imagination. We want to inspire our pupils to take up further study in and possibly consider careers in animation, architecture, photography, graphic design, fashion design and illustration.  

The teaching of art and design begins in EYFS where children build up their skills and use a variety of artistic effects to express their feelings and ideas. Then year on year, we build up these skills so that by the time our pupils are in Year 6, they have evolved to become rounded artists who can draw, paint, print and sculpt.  Our carefully mapped out curriculum ensures the skills of art and design are delivered through the study of other cultures, a range of unique and diverse artists, craft makers and designers for whom our children can take inspiration from.  

Implementation

Pupils are given opportunities to develop a wide variety of skills in art and design across a series of lessons. Our whole-school theme weeks allow children to experience art in different contexts. Skills and knowledge are developed throughout the school following our progressive skills map. Drawing, painting, printmaking, collage and mixed media work are enjoyed by all pupils and the creative development of the pupils' own ideas is encouraged. Pupils are given opportunities to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space. They also learn about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work. In key stage 2, pupils also create sketch books to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas. We have our own kiln and pupils develop skills using clay as they progress through the school.

Inclusion

Art can be an ideal way for many children with SEND to achieve success and creative skills for the future. Through art and design, we can break down some of the barriers to learning that some children, including those with SEND, may have and give them creative outlets to express their thoughts, ideas and emotions.  Staff are aware that some children with SEND may need additional scaffolds or breaks to ensure that opportunities to achieve are available to all. Planned opportunities for artistic learning enables all children to broaden their experiences and apply their creativity across the curriculum. 

Impact

The structure of the art curriculum ensures that all pupils develop their knowledge of artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms and apply this to their own work. Through our art and design curriculum, children will gain an appreciation of the world around them and have the vocabulary to discuss, evaluate and analyse creative work. Children will become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques and will have the confidence to try and develop new skills. The use of sketchbooks allows children to review, modify and develop their initial ideas to achieve high outcomes. The school environment also celebrates children’s achievements in art and design and demonstrates the subject’s high status in the school.