“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

At Holywell Primary School our high quality art education should engage, inspire and challenge our children to become familiar with a body of artistic knowledge, skills, principles and vocabulary. We should employ teaching methods and resources which allow pupils to have equal access to art and to experience success and enjoyment in their work.

• To enable pupils to see art as: 
  • A major cultural feature
  • Part of a wider body of knowledge and skills which relates to a range of other subject areas.
• Develop an awareness of pupils in:
  • The implications of Art (past and present) for the individual and the local, national and international communities
  • The significance of Art and to value it as an important, pleasurable and fundamental activity.
• To enable children to develop progressive skills in a range of artistic disciplines.
• To provide opportunities for children to use visual language ( line, shape, pattern, colour, texture, form) to express emotions, interpret observations, convey insights and express their individual creativity.
• To develop an impressive knowledge and understanding of other artists, craft makers and designers.
• For Art to be a subject which is taught confidently and enthusiastically by all teachers.

Each unit of work is based upon a lesson structure which develops skills and enhances children’s opportunities for creativity. The Lesson structure is as follows:

• Each unit begins with a drawing lesson – based on the progression grid for the year group.
• Artist focus – children will learn about the artist and their artwork. This can include elements of the artist’s life but must include analysis of one or more of an artist’s work. Additionally, this can include comparing one or more artists. Care and attention here should be taken to ensure the children understand the artist’s intention behind their artwork/s.
• Skills based lessons (2/3 Sessions) Children develop skills based upon the artist’s work – these artist have been chosen so the art skills children need to learn can be achieved through the study of this artist.
• Planning Lesson (as many as needed) this is when the children plan their own artworks inspired by their learning in this topic. They may spend one lesson planning composition and another exploring textures or colourways.
• Creation of final piece of work (as many sessions as needed) - these are completed separately to the sketchbook.

Learning in Art is collected in Sketchbooks from Year 1 – These are annotated throughout a unit with notes, ideas and reflections on learning. Knowledge organisers are used within lessons to enable children to learn techniques, vocabulary and for retrieval of key knowledge and vocabulary. Children’s work is displayed so they are proud of what they have achieved.

Aspirations for the future

Pupils develop an understanding of how subjects and specific skills are linked to future jobs.

Here are some of the jobs pupils could aspire to do in the future as an Artist:

• Lego builder!
• Author and illustrator
• Kitchen designer and Installer
• Furniture designer
• Fashion designer