Art

Intent 

Kippax Ash Tree Primary believe that art is a vital part of our children’s education and has a significant and valuable role in the taught curriculum, as well as the enrichment opportunities we offer our pupils. Our art curriculum will develop children’s critical abilities and understanding of their own and others’ cultures through studying a diverse range of artists.
Children will develop their understanding of the visual language of art with effective teaching and considered sequences of lessons and experiences. Understanding of the visual elements of art and design (line, tone, texture, colour, pattern, shape, 3D form) will be developed by providing a curriculum that is aspirational and challenging in order for our children to reach their full potential.
They will explore ideas and meaning through the work of artists and designers. Additionally, as they learn about the history, roles and functions of art, they can explore the impact that it has on contemporary life and that of different times and cultures.

Implementation

The skills and knowledge that children will develop throughout each art topic are mapped across each year group and throughout the school to ensure progression. The emphasis on a knowledge rich curriculum ensures that children understand the context of the artwork, as well as the artists that they are learning about and being inspired by. This enables links to other curriculum areas, including humanities, with children developing a considerable knowledge of individual artists as well as individual works and art movements throughout history; and from around the world. A similar focus on skills means that children are given opportunities to express their creative imagination, as well as practice and develop mastery in the key processes of art: drawing, painting, printing, textiles and sculpture.

At Kippax Ash Tree, we will:

• Ensure that each child develop their skills and techniques in a way appropriate to them, through clear differentiation and support, active and purposeful experiences, and using a variety of art materials and teaching strategies.
• Foster an enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts and a knowledge of artists, craftspeople and designers; introducing pupils to a wide range of contemporary and historical artists and craftspeople.
• Utilise an experimental approach, so that children feel safe to take risks, without the fear of doing something “wrong”.
• Openly promote art and design as a possible further study or career choice.
• Encourage each child to evaluate their art and design work and that of others, both with peers and adults.
• Celebrate effort, progress and achievement.

Impact

By the end of their time at Kippax Ash Tree Primary, we want pupils to have learned, improved and embedded a range of artistic knowledge and skill. They should have an awareness of a broad range of artists and craftspeople, and be able to consider and discuss the artworks they come across. We want our pupils to be confident to explore, experiment and take risks, placing value on the process and journey that they take, not just on the finished product. Most importantly, we want children to have found and enjoyed a creative outlet – a means of self-expression and enjoyment.