Art

Subject leader name: Miss Fisher

'Every child is an artist' - Pablo Picasso 

'Art is a place for children to learn to trust their ideas, themselves, and to explore what is possible' - Mary Ann F. Kohl

'Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life' - Vincent Van Gogh

Whole School Progression Map

Teaching and Learning 

We follow the six steps to outstanding teaching and learning in Art (see separate Teaching and Learning Policy).

Orientation - Art is a visual subject that can be seen around school. Children's artwork is showcased through classroom and corridor displays that demonstrate the skills they have been learning. Art pieces are also features on our termly WOW work display. We aim to develop resilience and a growth mindset during Art lessons by promoting the belief that all children are artists. 

Prior knowledge - Our progression of skills document maps out what Art skills are taught for each discipline in each year group. Skills are regularly revisited and built upon. Gaps in knowledge are identified and address in future planning. 

Presentation - Art lessons have cross-curricular links to other subjects to engage children and consolidate learning, while also teaching discrete skills. The end goal of an Art project is shared at the beginning of a new topic to ensure children can see the big picture. Reference images and example work are used to inspire children's work. Children are given the opportunity to practise skills broken down into small chunks. Sketchbooks are used to show the learning journey leading to the final piece. 

Challenge - Art is a subject where children can express themselves freely and where everybody can achieve. Lessons are designed to reinforce previous learning while also challenging children to extend and progress their skills. Outcomes are modelled step-by-step to ensure they are achievable, but children are also encouraged to add their own elements to their work and develop their own sense of style. Teaching is adaptive and responds to the needs of children during the lesson. 

Feedback - Feedback is a key part of Art lessons. Teachers monitor children's progress during lessons and give instant, verbal feedback so children understand their successes and next steps. Children are given time to reflect on and evaluate their work, and identify ways to improve. In 'gallery time', children share their work with their classmates and give peer feedback. 

Repeat - At the start of each lesson previous skills and knowledge are recapped in the context of the big picture of the project. Disciplines are revisited over the year, then build upon in following years. Children take their sketchbooks up with them as they move through school, so regularly have the opportunity to look back over their learning. 

Art in EYFS:

Art is taught within the Expressive Arts and Design specific area of learning of the EYFS. Imagination and creativity is developed through a wide variety of activities and through a range of media and materials. Children are encouraged to share their creations and to articulate their thought processes and ideas. Children develop their artisitic skills through the explicit teaching of techniques and also through independent experimentation.

Inclusion in Art:

See the attached document for adaptive teaching strategies in the areas of:

• communication and interaction
• cognition and learning
• sensory and/or physical
• social and emotional

What our pupils say about the subject

'Art is fun and it helps us learn new skills'

'We like getting messy!'

'Art makes me feel calm and peaceful' 

'I love using clay and paint the most'

'I like that you can't be wrong in Art, everyone can have a go' 

'I feel proud when I see my Art on the wall in school'