“Art should be something that liberates your soul, provokes the imagination and encourages people to go further.” – Keith Haring

Aims

At Stivichall Primary, we recognise that Art and Design stimulates creativity and imagination. It provides visual, tactile and sensory experiences and a special way of understanding and responding to the world. It enables children of all abilities to communicate what they see, feel and think through the use of colour, texture, form, pattern and different materials and processes. We believe that art is a vital part of education and has a significant and valuable role in the formal curriculum, as well as within the enrichment opportunities that we offer our pupils.

 

The aims of teaching art and design in our school are:

 

• To engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge, skills and vocabulary to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design.

• For pupils to think increasingly critically and develop a rigorous understanding of art and design.
• For pupils to know how art and design both reflect and shape our history and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation.
• To become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques
• To confidently and knowledgably evaluate and analyse work created by known artists, themselves and their peers, using the language of art, craft and design.
• To know about and appreciate great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.

Curriculum

Art and design teaching at Stivichall instils an appreciation and enjoyment of the visual arts. It promotes the development of children’s critical abilities as well as an understanding of their own and others’ cultural heritage.

 

Additionally, Art and design promotes careful observation and an appreciation of the world around us. At Stivichall, children explore ideas and meaning through studying the work of a diverse range of artists and designers. Through learning about the roles and functions of art, as well as discussing and comparing personal responses, they can explore the impact it has on themselves; on contemporary life and on different periods and cultures. 

 

To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in art and design, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school, based upon the 2014 Primary National Curriculum in England, which provides a broad framework and outlines the knowledge and skills taught in each Key Stage. The emphasis on knowledge ensures that children understand the context of the artwork, as well as the inspirational artists in-focus. A focus on skills means that children are given opportunities to express their creative imagination, practise skills across a range of elements of art and develop mastery specifically in drawing, painting and sculpture.

 

As a school, we value partnerships with high quality arts providers and actively seek out opportunities to use educational visits, visitors and enrichment activities to promote engagement and interest, enhance pupil wellbeing, increase cultural capital and widen our pupils’ first-hand experience.

 

Our art and design curriculum is focused upon a diverse collection of interesting artists and is carefully structured to ensure breadth and balance, challenge and progression.

Outcomes

High-quality artwork and creative outcomes linked to the wider curriculum are evident within pupil sketchbooks and throughout the wider school environment, within collaborative installation pieces as well as classroom and corridor displays, which celebrate achievement, showcase talent and illustrate links and learning across the curriculum.

We recognise that the arts play a significant role in contributing positively to pupil mental health and well-being. At Stivichall, we encourage pupils to consider art as tool for mindfulness and believe that our art curriculum nurtures child development through promoting creativity, independence, self-reflection.

Extending learning beyond school

Our Art and Design curriculum is designed to inspire children to explore, express and create in their own time and environment. Here are some of the ways we encourage our pupils and families to continue their artistic journeys beyond school:

• Use nature as inspiration – sketch or paint natural objects. Take a sketchbook on walks in the park or visits and look closely at patterns, textures and colours in nature.
• Art in the community – visit local art galleries, exhibitions or public murals. Coventry Transport Museum and the Herbert often host family-friendly exhibits and workshops. Talk with your child about what they see, what they like, how it makes them feel and what techniques the artist may have used.
• Create at home – set up a small art station with simple materials (paper, pencils, paints, scissors and recycled items) and encourage your child to experiment freely.
• Art and photography challenges – try a family art challenge such as creating a sculpture with recycled materials or photograph textures around your home and garden.
• Family projects – work on collaborative art projects at home: paint a mural on cardboard, design a family crest or create seasonal decorations together.