Art & Design

Intent

At Heathcote we believe that there is an artist in everyone! We aim to fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum by providing a broad and balanced curriculum, ensuring the progressive development of knowledge and skills across all year groups. 

The Art Curriculum at Heathcote aligns with the National Curriculum for art and design aims to ensure that all pupils:

1.       Produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences
2.       Become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques
3.       Evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design
4.       Know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms

Our high-quality Art & Design provision is based on the Maestro Cornerstones Scheme of work. We strive to engage, inspire and challenge pupils to experiment, invent and create their own pieces. As well as individual creative growth, we teach our pupils to appreciate and evaluate the work of other artists: well- known, lesser known and even their peers’ work. As pupils progress, we equip them with the language needed to analyse works of art from different time periods and different cultures from all around the world. Our young artists and designers at Heathcote work towards gaining a good understanding of how Art & Design reflect and shape history and contribute to the culture, creativity and diversity of a community and a nation. 

Implementation

At Heathcote, we will implement our Art & Design aims by:  

•         Teaching art regularly. The children will cover Art topics as part of the Cornerstones curriculum and will also have additional opportunities to engage with Art & Design activities throughout the school year. 
•         Using sketch books for Art from Year 3 to Year 6. Children take these through school with them as a record of progression. 
•         Teaching a predominantly skills-based curriculum, which covers drawing, painting, sculpture, textiles and printing. Full details of our art curriculum can be found in our long-term and medium-term plans. 
•         Re-teaching skills throughout the children’s time in school to build on previous learning. 
•         Ensuring that each child develops 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. 
•         Fostering an enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts and a knowledge of artists, craftspeople and designers. 

Impact

We monitor the impact of our Art provision through planning checks, lesson observations, book looks and pupil and teacher voice. The creativity of all our pupils is celebrated in topic books, sketch books and communal displays and published on our website and Tapestry journals.

Ongoing, formative assessment takes place throughout the year. Teachers use this information to inform future lessons, ensuring children are supported and challenged appropriately. Areas of curriculum strengths and weaknesses are analysed by the Art & Design lead and actions planned, with the agreement of the SLT, to address areas for improvement.