Art

The aims of art education at St Gabriel's Catholic Primary School are to:

• Find enjoyment in art and creativity and appreciation of the visual arts.
• Value and respect their work and the work of others.
• Develop an understanding of the basic elements of art, line, tone, colour, texture, pattern, shape, form, space
• Become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other forms of art, craft and design techniques.
• Enable children to record from first-hand experience and from imagination, and to select their own ideas to use in their work.
• Communicate ideas and feelings through a range of materials, tools and techniques.
• Have knowledge of artists, craft makers and designers and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.
• Be able to use a visual/artistic language both in practical work, discussion and when using works of art.
• Provide children with visual, tactile and sensory experiences to develop and enhance their experiences of the world.
• Build on self-confidence and enjoyment of the subject and to encourage them to use materials safely and sensibly.
• Develop skills of evaluation and judgement about pupils' own work as well as that of others.
• Develop increasing confidence to evaluate work in order to develop future work.

The Intent behind our school’s art curriculum

Here, at St Gabriel’s, we value the teaching of art and design and see it as a fundamental part of school life. We see art as a means to support learning with skills developed in art transferred to other areas of the curriculum. Pupils will develop their skills using a range of media and materials, becoming increasingly proficient in drawing, painting, printing, collage, textiles and other art techniques. Pupils will develop confidence to experiment and invent their own works of art. Through the study of art children will gain knowledge of other artists and designers and learn about the rich heritage of the world.  Children will think critically about their own art and the work of others using appropriate language.

Implementation

Teachers at St Gabriel’s use the Kapow art scheme to ensure all attainment targets outlined in the National Curriculum are met. Teacher’s may also supplement or adapt Kapow  activities to form cross curricular links.

The Kapow art scheme is designed with five strands that run throughout.

• Making skills
• Formal elements (line, tone, texture, pattern, colour)
• Knowledge of artists
• Evaluating

The progression of skills document outlines the skills taught within each year group and how these skills develop to ensure that attainment targets are securely met by the end of each key stage.

Art and design lessons will develop pupil’s knowledge and understanding of key artists and art movements. As children move through school they will be given opportunities to learn about and explore a diverse range of artists and link to their own work.   Children are supported to make their own creative choices and decisions.  Lessons are practical by nature and encourage experimental and exploratory learning.  The sketchbooks are used to explore and document their ideas and explorations.

Impact

Children are always keen to learn new skills and work hard to develop them using new techniques and methods, developing increasing proficiency as they move through the school. The children’s art is both discreet and cross curricular, and therefore deepening their learning through the curriculum.  Teachers celebrate children’s art through school displays and sharing of work in class.  All work is valued and children learn to respect and celebrate  the work of others.