INTENT

At Everton Primary School, we believe Art is an essential part of our curriculum; we believe that to be an artist, children need a strong foundation of drawing and painting skills and knowledge. Our intent is for our teachers to deliver the National Curriculum, promoting enthusiasm and curiosity so children breakthrough the barrier of many children’s belief of ‘I can’t draw’ and develop the confidence to say ‘I can.’ We strive to give our children the opportunity to learn and develop their drawing and painting skills within their own personal sketch books. Our intention is to foster an enthusiasm for art, a resilience when building upon their works and to independently create their own works and styles that they love, creating a book they take pride in. Over their time at Everton, we intend to give children the chance to showcase their work and to be proud of it. We intend to give children the opportunity to learn about famous artists, both past and present, in order to give our children the opportunity to ask questions - developing their curiosity. At Everton Primary, our aim is to deliver a curriculum which gives children the confidence to understand the importance of equity and diversity in our world and to know that some of the famous art we see represents a strong sense of this. We want our children to know art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation. We intend to create artists who value teamwork but also can work with independence to create their works.  

IMPLEMENTATION

As we have 4 mixed classes at Everton Primary School, our Art Curriculum has been designed on a 2-year rolling programme. This is to ensure all National Curriculum is taught to all our pupils before they leave our school.

Art is an essential part of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) as it is entwined into everyday learning. The Art and Design aspects of the children’s learning link to the objectives set out in the EYFS Development Matters Statements and the Early Learning Goals (ELGs) under Expressive Arts and Design.

In Key Stage 1, our pupils will confidently use a range of materials creatively to design and make products, showing ambition and pride. Imagination and curiosity will be developed through drawing, painting and sculpture. Children will develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, form and shape. Our children will learn about the work of a range of artists, craft makers, designers and will describe the differences and similarities.

Throughout Key Stage 2, children will be taught to develop their techniques, with increasing independence. They will develop control and use of materials, with creativity, experimentation and awareness of different kinds of art, craft and design. Children will create sketch books to record their observations and use this to review and revisit their ideas. They will be used to edit work as children learn to kindly critique their own and their peers' work. Our children will learn about the great artists, architects and designers of history, showing respect for how these people have impacted our lives.

The way in which we implement our curriculum:

• The standards for Art have been mapped out on our progression document, ensuring children year on year develop their knowledge and skills of art.
• Art is not taught every week of each term; instead, it has been blocked into half-terms, terms where a particular key unit is taught (see progression maps and long term plans).
• Teachers use standards and break this down into smaller learning objectives; these are mapped out on Medium Term Plans, which develops sequential and cumulative learning and progression.
• In an art lesson, there will be: 1. Revisit and review, 2. Vocabulary development, 3. Teacher input (modelling), 4. Learning task and 5. Assessment of learning and review of the lesson.
• Within our lessons, a key component is to review previous learning, allowing children to understand their learning journey and giving them the confidence to be able to articulate their understanding and link learning together. Learning is reviewed in a range of ways: quizzes, games and mini assessments. Teachers also review through morning starter activities. This keeps learning refreshed and supports their long-term retention.
• Vocabulary is an integral part of our Art curriculum; we believe it is crucial we give our children the language to talk like artists, developing ambition to one day become an artist. All children are given vocabulary mats at the beginning of each new unit; this vocabulary is then driven throughout the unit, ensuring children have a clear understanding of it and are equipped to use it.
• When an Art unit is studied, throughout all classrooms, a learning journey is developed within books, displaying a build up of knowledge and skills and allowing the children a key point of reference to review their learning.
• Throughout units, children are taught lessons in a progressive way, where they build up skills and knowledge, which leads to a final piece.
• Art is celebrated within classrooms, by displaying some final pieces.
• Teachers assess each lesson's Learning Objectives and will indicate if learning has required support or has been carried out with independence. Along with teachers assessing learning, children are also required to show independence by assessing their own learning.

IMPACT

The amazing Artists of Everton Primary School will (by the end of Year 6):

• Believe they are artists and have the ‘I can’ attitude and show resilience when completing a piece of work.
• Know that the use of a range of drawing techniques can be used to communicate specific emotions to the audience.
• Know that the outcome will be affected by the artist’s choices.
• Know that a brief can be used to create a product for a specific purpose or audience.
• Know that an artist’s work has an impact on society at the time.
• Know that art is a powerful medium in the world and that, with respect, prejudices can be challenged through art.

Our Progression Document, Long Term and Medium Term plans display the learning for each point throughout our Art Curriculum.