Art

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up” – Pablo Picasso

 Intent

At Bowesfield Primary, we believe that Art and Design is an integral part of the curriculum. Our aim is to give all children the skills, techniques and resilience to build their confidence and ability in art. We encourage children to experiment with a range of materials and tools and give them the freedom to edit and improve their art work. We aim to involve children in immersive and creative activities and to explore the work of a range of artists by the time they leave Bowesfield.

Implementation  

We follow the Kapow scheme of work, which fulfils the statutory requirements outlined in the National Curriculum (2014). The National Curriculum for Art and design aims to ensure that all pupils:

• produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences
• become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design
• know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms

From these aims, we have identified five strands which run throughout our scheme of work:

• Making skills
• Generating ideas
• Formal elements
• Knowledge of Artists
• Evaluating

Kapow Primary’s Art and design scheme has been designed as a spiral curriculum with the following key principles in mind:

• Cyclical: Pupils return to the same skills again and again during their time in primary school.
• Increasing depth: Each time a skill is revisited it is covered with greater complexity.
• Prior knowledge: Upon returning to a skill, prior knowledge is utilised so pupils can build upon previous foundations, rather than starting again.

 Formal Elements of Art Units

With the exception of Year 6, each year group has a unit called ‘Formal elements of Art’ which focuses on the discrete skills of the formal elements of art which are:

• Line
• Shape
• Tone
• Texture
• Pattern
• Colour

All classes will cover an Art unit each term, this will alternate with Design and Technology

Impact

We want every child to enjoy creative activities and feel that they can achieve in this area. We hope to boost their confidence and celebrate their individuality. We display our children’s artwork proudly in classrooms and around the school for them and others to see and to create an environment which celebrates the arts and our children’s creativity. Each lesson includes guidance to support teachers in assessing pupils against the learning objectives and each unit has a unit quiz and knowledge catcher which can be used at the start and/or end of the unit.

Bowesfield Art Gallery