Intent

We believe art and design is a vital part of the curriculum; helping to develop and encourage our children’s individual creativity, self-esteem, enabling them to reach their full potential. The art and design curriculum at Westcott will enable children to develop an understanding of their own and others’ cultures through studying a range of artists and media. This includes past and present, national and global, BAME and female artists, craft makers and designers. Children will widen their visual vocabulary through art – enabling them to respond and enjoy expressing their ideas, feelings and imagination.

Implementation

Pupils are given opportunities to develop a wide variety of skills in art and design across a series of lessons. Our whole-school theme weeks allow children to experience art in different contexts. Skills and knowledge are developed throughout the school following our progressive skills map. Drawing, painting, printmaking, collage and mixed media work are enjoyed by all pupils and the creative development of the pupils’ own ideas is encouraged. Pupils are given opportunities to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space. They also learn 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. In key stage 2, pupils also create sketch books to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas.

Impact

The structure of the art curriculum ensures that all pupils develop their knowledge of artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms and apply this to their own work. Through our art and design curriculum, children will gain an appreciation of the world around them and have the vocabulary to discuss, evaluate and analyse creative work. Children will become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques and will have the confidence to try and develop new skills. The use of sketchbooks allows children to review, modify and develop their initial ideas to achieve high outcomes. The school environment also celebrates children’s achievements in art and design and demonstrates the subject’s high status in the school.