“If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint.” Edward Hopper

Intent:

At Swaffham Primary Academy, we provide a loving, caring and supportive environment that ensures every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential and shine. We are committed to providing all children with opportunities to learn and engage in art and design and believe that every child within our school should have full access to the art provision as laid down in the National Curriculum regardless of age, gender or ability. The intent of our art education is to give pupils the skills, concepts and knowledge necessary for them to express their responses to ideas and experiences in a visual or tactile form. It should fire their imagination and be a fundamental means of personal expression which enables them to believe in their own ability. While it is essentially a practical subject, art should provide opportunities for reflection and, with increasing sensitivity, pupils should acquire the ability to make informed and personal responses of their own work and that of others. There is great pleasure to be derived from art learning and, through deeper understanding; pupils can gain access to cultural richness and diversity which enables them to feel like they belong. The appreciation and enjoyment of the visual arts enriches all our lives. At Swaffham Primary Academy we believe that the learning of art provides a valuable educational, as well as social and cultural, experiences for children of all ages.

The national curriculum for art and design aims to ensure that all pupils:

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 creative works using the language of art, craft and design
4. Know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.

Implementation:

Our whole school curriculum provides children with opportunities to develop their skills in art using a range of media and materials. Children have the opportunity to explore and evaluate different creative ideas developing skills in drawing, painting, printing, collage, textiles, 3D work and digital art. Children study a range of works by famous artists as well being able to work with current artists and see art displayed in galleries to develop knowledge of styles. The later, also upskills and inspires our own staff too. Artists chosen to inspire our children are listed on our whole school art curriculum map. Our curriculum is designed to be cross-curricular, giving children opportunities in the classroom to combine their art skills with knowledge from other subjects. The children have a sketch book that follows them through the school to demonstrate progression. Art is displayed throughout the school both in and outside the classroom to motivate and inspire others and to celebrate the children’s’ artwork.

Impact:

Our art and design curriculum is planned to demonstrate progression and to stimulate creativity. Children are clear about what the intended outcomes are and have a means to measure their own work against this, as a means of expression or to explore the styles of other artists that inspire our own work. In art and design, children are reflective and evaluate their own and each other’s work, thinking about how they can make changes to keep improving. This is meaningful and continuous throughout the process, with evidence of age-related verbal and written reflection using key vocabulary from each discipline taught.