“Every child is an artist…” Pablo Picasso “  

Our Vision and Intent 

Pupils at Cotford St Luke and the wider Tone Valley Partnership within our school catchment area use colour, tone, form, texture, pattern and various materials and processes to communicate their ideas. They respond to the work of known artists and learn about the diverse roles of art in other cultures and in history. Art provides children with sensory experiences, a channel of self-expression, freedom to fail without reprimand and to succeed without competition. Children experience the intrinsic pleasure of creation and have opportunities to develop the skills to think and articulate themselves critically and constructively. 

It is the intent of Cotford St Luke Primary School for Art and Design to be taught in all year groups, progressing through the strands of drawing, mixed media and painting. In each of our focused quest units, pupils will have the opportunity to explore artwork, practise skills, study an artist and create a final piece of artwork.  

The School Implementation  

The teaching of Art and Design across the school incorporates specific school quests spread across a two-year rolling programme.  Each quest art focus will reflect the key strands of the National Curriculum.  Art and design is taught in half-termly blocks; most units are linked to the wider curriculum. Areas covered include sculpture, mosaics, printing, drawing and painting. Units are often based on topic work, such as Victorian portraiture, nature, Inuit art, pointillism, Pop Art and the works of the impressionist artists. More detail can be found on our long-term plans. 

The work of famous local, national and international artists are also explored to enhance the children's learning. Artists are studied, and children’s final artwork is based on developing skills from the chosen artist.  This, we believe ensures a well-structured approach to this creative subject.   

Within our quest learning experiences, the work taught should contain the 4 main principles: 

             1) Generate ideas: Skills of Designing & Developing Ideas 

             2) Making: Skills of Making Art, Craft and Design 

             3) Evaluate: Skills of Judgement and Evaluation 

             4) Knowledge and Understanding: Acquiring and applying knowledge to inform progress 

Impact 

Children in our school enjoy art lessons and use their skills in different ways throughout the school by taking part in whole school art challenges, creating whole school displays and sharing their work during an annual arts week. Creative activities throughout the school will often have an art element and parental support is encouraged via our communication networks (class dojo/parent mail).   

Artwork is shared and celebrated in our school via our school display boards as well as our school gallery and exhibitions. Parents are invited to view art works during planned art weeks which in turn motivates the children’s learning, promoting ownership and enjoyment. 

Planned School trips and art days are used to enhance the teaching and awareness of art through using natural materials to create art sculptures and to study art in different settings.  

By implementing progressive planning children will develop strong knowledge and skills and Art and design learning is loved and celebrated by teachers and pupils across school.  

Assessment of children's learning in Art and Design 

Assessment of knowledge and skill is an ongoing monitoring of children's understanding, knowledge and skills by the class teacher throughout lessons. This assessment is then used to inform the support and challenge required by the children.  

Art and Design and DT is monitored by the subject leader through exploring artwork, photos, sketch books, structures and designs and by lesson observations and pupil interviews to discuss their learning and understanding and establish the impact of the teaching taking place. Curriculum objectives are recorded half-termly with children who are not meeting expectations highlighted. At the end of the year teachers complete an arts progression document detailing which children have met the national curriculum requirements for their age. 

“Art is not just a subject to learn, but an activity that you can practise with your hands, your eyes, your whole personality.”  

Quentin Blake 

Art and Design is Led by: Miss Knight