Our Art and Design curriculum offers pupils a unique way of perceiving themselves and the world. It is taught for 3 half terms of the year which is alternated with Design & Technology. The units are centred on the 6 formal elements of art which are taught discreetly and are revisited and built on overtime as children progress towards the end of Key Stage 2.

Art is taught each term in dedicated blocks to allow the sequence of an art project fully from appreciating art and different artists, exploring visual and tactile elements, practising skills and applying their skills to a final project. Teachers plan work in relation to the topic theme they are undertaking, as well as pupils’ interests and experiences. 

The Formal Elements of Art:
Line, Shape, Tone, Texture, Pattern and Colour

Each unit focuses specifically on skills within the areas of:
Drawing, painting, printing, collage, textiles, 3D work, digital art, use of sketchbooks and the creation of original art work

The Middleton St Mary's Art Curriculum builds on the Formal Elements of Art and knowledge of Skills which are then applied throughout the rest of the units. The curriculum provides both challenge and support for all learners. 

Alongside pupil’s developing their artistic ability children are exposed to a wealth and variety of Artists and Artwork. Children develop their oracy skills in Art which enables them to interpret, analysis, evaluate and offer their opinion. The pupils develop their knowledge and understanding of Art movements & styles such as impressionism, realism, abstract art & modern art. The curriculum gives pupils the opportunities to observe, question and study world famous Artist, across the eras, from Banksy to Warhol as well as Local Artists; Kate Lycett, Barbra Hepworth & David Hockney.

The purpose is for pupils to develop an interest and appreciate of Art and equip them with the skills to analyse and critique different pieces of Art. They build their own narrative which enables them to articulate and justify their perspective as well as express their own opinions.

Intent

At Middleton St Mary’s CE (VC) Primary School we believe that the development of mark making and art skills is a crucial part of child development and that every child is entitled to experience it fully.

Our Art curriculum provides children with opportunities to develop their skills using a range of media and materials. Children learn the skills of drawing, painting, printing, collage, textiles, 3D work and digital art and are given the opportunity to explore and evaluate different creative ideas. Children are introduced to a range of works and develop knowledge of the styles and vocabulary used by famous artists. The skills they acquire are applied to their cross-curricular topics, allowing children to use their art skills to reflect on and explore topics in greater depth; for example, by sketching historical artefacts in detail, researching geographical locations to support their work on artists or using art as a medium to express emotion and thought to enhance their personal, social and emotional development. Many areas of art link with mathematical ideas of shape and space; for example, when printing repeating patterns and designs and thinking about 3D shapes to support structures. Reading is promoted through art as the children study and appreciate the work of a range of great artists, architects and designers to inspire, support and develop their own individual styles of work. We encourage children to value the contribution made to their world from many cultures and to know how this reflects and shapes our history. Children make informed critical responses about their work and the work of others. Appreciation of the work and views of others is central to our art curriculum.

Children are clear what the intended outcomes are and have a means to measure their own work against this.

Implementation

Art is taught each term in dedicated blocks to allow the sequence of an art project fully from appreciating art and different artists, exploring visual and tactile elements, practising skills and applying their skills to a final project. Teachers plan work in relation to the topic theme they are undertaking, as well as pupils’ interests and experiences. Clear, achievable, yet challenging age-related expectations, developed from the National Curriculum, allow for progression through the art curriculum.  Teachers will use the basis of The National Society for Education in Art and Design (NSEAD) additional guidance, to support planning.

Each child from Year 1 to Year 6 has a sketch book to allow them to practice skills, explore different media, produce a final outcome and evaluate their work and others’ work. Once children develop their knowledge of the grades of pencils, they are given their own set of sketching pencils.