Art 

                        How do we teach Art at Albrighton Primary School and Nursery?

 

Intent

 At Albrighton Primary School and Nursery we value the subject of art and design as an important part of the children’s entitlement to a broad, rich and creative curriculum. Our art and design curriculum allows children to engage, develop, innovate and express their knowledge gained from the study of different periods of art, artists and techniques. As children develop in their knowledge they are able use their skills to create authentic pieces of artwork. As pupils progress, they should be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design. We understand that art isn’t just a subject it is a tool to enable children to look at the world with curiosity and understand that art exists in all cultures leading to children having a better understanding of cultural capital. 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.

 

Implementation

 Art and design is taught as part of a half termly topic, focusing on knowledge and skills stated in the National Curriculum. The children have the opportunity to explore and evaluate different creative ideas by developing skills in drawing, painting, printing, collage, sculpture and digital art. Children study a range of works by famous artists to develop knowledge of styles in order for children to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to be able to create an authentic, personal piece of artwork in response. The children have a sketchbook that follows them through the school to show progression. Artwork is displayed and celebrated around school to motivate and inspire others and to celebrate the pupils’ artwork in their class. There are also many opportunities interwoven into our curriculum to enable children to apply their art knowledge and skills.

 

Impact

Children will have developed the artistic knowledge and skills necessary to help them become confident and competent in creating authentic art pieces. Children’s knowledge and skills will develop progressively as they move through the school, not only to enable them to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum but to prepare them to effectively live in a modern and diverse world.

We measure the impact of Art through the following methods:

  • Assessing children’s understanding of the knowledge and linked vocabulary before and after the unit is taught.
  • Formative assessment throughout lessons - questioning and AFL tasks to check knowledge and understanding. 
  • Opportunities to use art knowledge and skills across the curriculum.
  • Interviewing the pupils about their learning (pupil voice).
  • Moderation staff meetings where there is the opportunity for a dialogue between teachers to understand their class’s work.
  • Annual reporting of standards across the curriculum.
  • High quality discussions around the Learning Objectives and Success Criteria.
  • Assessment of a final piece of art.

Adaptive Teaching

Adaptive teaching means that teachers adapt their teaching to make it appropriate for all students in the learning environment so each and every child can access the learning and be successful in their learning. For Art and design this means that all children will receive quality teaching of the necessary skills required to achieve in Art. During lessons, resources will be adapted to suit the needs of all pupils. This might take the form of breaking the lesson up into smaller chunks, rephrasing questioning, tailoring resources (visual aids, help sheets), using adapted equipment or targeted support from the teacher and teaching assistant.

 

 

Years 1 and 2

 Years 1 and 2 have been looking at the artist Henri Rousseau and using his key themes to produce a final picture in his style.

 

Continuing with the animal themes years 1 and 2 have been looking at animals in more depth including animal prints. And using different media.

Shooting stars have been making animal prints using different media. They use string to make zebra stripes, sticks to make tiger stripes, shells to make giraffe spots and leaves to make leopard spots. 

Year 1 and 2 have also been using lines to represent shape and outline. They have had a go at drawing a few animals using different drawing media including pencil, pastel and wax crayon. 

Year 3

In art, we research the art of the Beaker People. We studied their pottery and patterns, to then design and make our own with clay. We though hard about the tools that would give us the best finish to our patterns!

 

Year 4/5

Year 4/5 used a variety of techniques including weaving and  metal sculpting to make Iroquois dream catchers. 

We sketched dream catchers using charcoal and drawing pencils. 

We also sketched longhouses. 

Art displays from around the school