Art & Design

We follow the Primary National Curriculum for Art and Design in England

At Springbank Primary Academy, we believe that art is a vital and integral part of children’s education and therefore we work hard to promote a ‘life-long love of art’. It provides our children with opportunities to develop a range of ways in which they can share and express their individual creativity/ emotions, whilst learning about and making links with a wide spectrum of different types of art. Art contributes to children’s personal development in creativity, independence, judgement, well-being and self-reflection.

Discover more about our Art and Design Curriculum at Springbank below.

ART & DESIGN STATEMENT OF INTENT

At Springbank Primary Academy, we believe that art is a vital and integral part of children’s education and therefore we work hard to promote a ‘life-long love of art’. It provides our children with opportunities to develop a range of ways in which they can share and express their individual creativity/ emotions, whilst learning about and making links with a wide spectrum of different types of art. Art contributes to children’s personal development in creativity, independence, judgement, well-being and self-reflection.

We teach a knowledge and skills-based art curriculum, which allows children to express their creative imagination as well as providing them with opportunities to practice and develop mastery in the key processes of art: drawing, painting, printing, textiles and sculpture. The curriculum is carefully planned out to ensure progression across the year groups alongside the opportunity to build on prior knowledge and skills. The focus is in developing proficiency in drawing, painting, understanding colour, shape, line, texture, pattern and tone with the overall aim of developing a rigorous understanding, critical awareness and inspiration of art. This is supported through the study of key artists and the development of a knowledge of their work.

Our children will develop their understanding of the visual language of art with effective teaching and carefully thought out sequences of lessons and experiences. Understanding of the visual elements of art and design will be developed by providing our children with the opportunity to critically analyse art work using key vocabulary and practicing key skills.

Through art our children are able to make a positive contribution to the wider community, with our pupil’s artwork proudly displayed around our school and further afield as part of the GLA additionality offer.

ART AND DESIGN CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

Art and Design in the Early Years

In the Early Years, like with learning to write, we approach Art and Design first and foremost by ensuring our children develop sound fine and gross motor skills.  Activities designed to strengthen grip and practise moving, handling and control skills give children a great foundation from which they can develop skills such as drawing, painting and sculpting.  Children in Reception are encouraged to use their imagination and create with different materials as part of the Expressive Art & Design Early Learning Goal.

Art and Design in Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2)

The content of art and design teaching and learning is set out in the 2014 National Curriculum for primary schools in England. Pupils should be given opportunities to use a range of materials creatively to design and make products through drawing, painting and sculpture. They explore different techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space.

Another important aspect of the art and design curriculum is learning about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work.

SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD AT HOME

Get Messy!

Try to get hold of as many different types of drawing and painting resources as you can to let your child get creative and explore creating art using different materials. Paints, chalk, crayons, pens, pencils, modelling clay and much more can be found in discount shops. Just don’t forget to put lots of newspaper down first!

Use household object creatively

Alternatively, instead of buying materials, let them get creative using things around the house – for example, pasta and pulses to create pictures using glue.

Keep a sketch book

Encourage your child to keep a sketch book. Suggest that they take it with them when they go out so that they can look for things to sketch – a tree, a building, a scene. Alternatively, if they see something they would like to draw, take a photo on your phone and let them sketch from it when they are home.

Celebrate your child's art

Praise your child’s creations and encourage them not to get disheartened if they feel they have made ‘mistakes’. Explain that art is about being creative and trying out different things. There is no right or wrong way to do things. You could even ‘frame’ their work using coloured paper or card and create a little gallery on the kitchen wall or in their bedroom to display their work.

Discuss and enjoy art together

Find out about local art galleries or museums that you can visit with your child. Encourage them to talk about what they see and to share their opinions – about subject matter, colours, what materials the artist used, and so on.