Art

Rationale

As Designers we ask that our children think critically as they develop a more conscientious understanding of art and design. At Underwood West Academy our aim is to engage, inspire and challenge pupils so that they are fully equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to experiment, invent and create their own works or art. We want our pupils to gain an appreciation of how art and design have shaped, continue to shape and help us to reflect on our history and the world around us.

We provide the opportunity for spaced repetition and over learning as children revisit art elements. Ensuring that this happens through a well-structured, exciting and developmental curriculum where teachers know and understand what learning has gone before.

At Underwood West Academy we offer the children the opportunity to develop their artistic ability, talent and creativity through a wide range of experiences. Children experience a wide span of artistic activities linked to their topic involving a wide variety of media, including drawing, paint, print, clay, collage and 3D sculpture . Relevant skills are taught to further the growth and development of the child and the children are introduced to the work of artists both past and present. Art work feeds into our “Best Books” and the rich displays that celebrate our children’s work and make our school a stimulating and vibrant learning environment each and every day.

National Curriculum

Aims - 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.

Attainment targets:
By the end of each key stage, pupils are expected to know, apply and understand the
matters, skills and processes specified in the relevant programme of study.

Sketch books

Sketchbooks provide a record of the children’s learning and progress in art from Year 1 to Year 6. They are used to develop the National Curriculum expectations for Art and to make our children more independent and confident artists. The sketchbook is used as an initial way of recording responses to various stimuli and the most common form of this is through drawing. The children are encouraged to think of it as the place to practice, develop and focus their work. Sometimes work started in the sketchbook is developed into a finished piece and proudly displayed around public areas of school or displayed in 'best books' as a special piece.