Art

Intent, Implementation & Impact

 

Intent:

At St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School, we aim to stimulate children’s interest and understanding about the life of people who lived in the past and ways in which it differs from the present. We believe that learning about the past helps children to make sense of the world in which they live and to develop analytical thinking.

We believe that the study of history makes a valuable contribution to their understanding of all aspects of life giving a sense of identity and heritage.  Therefore, we aim for a high-quality history curriculum that has been carefully designed and sequenced to equip our children with a secure, coherent knowledge of British, local and world history. Our curriculum content is knowledge and vocabulary rich, in a sequenced chronological order, allowing children to develop their understanding of abstract concepts as they move through school. 

We plan to do this by:

  • To enable children to become visually literate and understand that art is a form of communication.
  • To enable children to use a wide range of media to communicate ideas and feelings.
  • To nurture and harness creativity and acquire and develop a range of skills and techniques.
  • To develop children’s capacity for imaginative and original thought and to try out ideas without the fear of failing.
  • To enable children through observation to learn about the world around them.
  • To help children learn about the role of art, craft and design in their environment and take inspiration from it.
  • To enable children to become independent in the planning and reviewing of their work
  • To enable children to develop their full potential confidently and independently.

 

Implementation:

At St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School art is a hands-on activity that needs the teacher to be directly involved with the children in the lesson to set the task, to impart knowledge, to lead activities, to monitor and develop the children's progress, to encourage development and to ensure that each child reaches an appropriate standard through:

  • Using a variety of approaches that are matched to the activity and cater for the range of ability of the children.
  • Having the opportunity to examine natural objects, everyday artefacts, historical artefacts. Developing clear links between art and design and I.C.T. opportunities.
  • Encouraging children to work individually, in pairs, small groups and as whole class when required.
  • Encouraging the development of personal and social skills, being fully inclusive and giving equal access for pupils to learning opportunities.
  • Ensuring that issues of Health and Safety are addressed in the planning and delivery of the art curriculum.

We have used the best research to create a well sequenced and progressive curriculum map containing the key concepts children need to be procedurally fluent in to work and think like professional artists.

The key concepts in art and design we plan a progression for are as follows:

  • Drawing
  • Painting
  • Printing
  • 3D
  • Collage
  • Use of IT
  • Knowledge

Teaching Styles

In EYFS, we encourage creative work in the class as this is part of the foundation stage. We relate the creative development of the children to the objectives set out in the early learning goals, which underpin the curriculum planning for children aged three to five. Art & design is taught through a cross-curricular thematic approach in Key Stage 1 and we link the subject area and themes to as many subjects ensuring no tenuous link is made. In Key Stage 2, art & design is taught as a discrete subject.

At St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary School, art & design contributes significantly to the teaching of English in our school by actively promoting the skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening.

By the end of Year 6, children will recognise and have learned about a variety of artists and styles of art. They will be able to draw comparisons and make connections between styles. 

Reading across the curriculum

In order to develop children's reading skills, our teachers plan opportunities for children to independently read age-appropriate texts that link to the art & design topic being studied. We are investing in supporting our art & design topics with new books for each topic studied. Exposure to art and artists in a variety of formats will give the children a well-rounded education opportunity.

Writing across the curriculum

We develop skills of research and note taking and we present findings in a variety of ways such as in written, oral or pictorial form, as well as using ICT. We have developed this use of artist’s mats in KS2 to record information in a biographical format. This extends the knowledge of the children to include an historical element, related artists (styles), key vocabulary and examples of styles.

 

Impact:

We believe that if children have become knowledgeable art & design enthusiasts, then they will be able to articulate their understanding with confidence. This is why pupil voice is an important tool in assessing whether children have made progress. If a child is able to confidently formulate and explain their own responses to an overarching enquiry, then the curriculum and its delivery have been successful. The work produced by our children and the discussions they have, should demonstrate that they are equipped with the artistic skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the secondary curriculum and for life as an adult.

 

 

 

Progression of Skills

St Cuthbert's Catholic Primary School is part of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust

A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales under company registration number No 7841435.

Registered Office: Fenham Hall Drive, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 9YH