ART
Intent, Implementation and Impact of the Art Curriculum
Intent
We are very proud, here at Harnham Junior School, with the standard of art work produced by our children.
Witnessing children feel a sense of achievement from a piece of work they have created is a real joy for children and staff and this is celebrated throughout our School with displays that fill the viewer with inspiration and awe. This builds on self-esteem and brings a child to a place where they are ready to tackle other areas of learning in a positive way.
Art and our curriculum drivers of Faith, Action, Inspiration, Tenacity and Harmony go hand in hand. Art is truly an exciting subject for all of us as it brings a great sense of joy and fulfilment and we are therefore extremely passionate about it at Harnham Junior School. Through this subject we can practise our value of ‘Inspiration’ on so many levels. Looking at a piece of art work from an artist can engage and ignite a passion to create for a child. It can inspire a level of appreciation of something previously unknown. Through the creative experience, it is our intent that all our pupils will be inspired, challenged and appreciate creative works. We aim to inspire our pupils to tap into their creative potential, develop tenacity which we hope will in turn allow them to realise a sense of achievement and pride in themselves.
We hope that all children will feel a sense of achievement at our School. On the surface, most people would assume all children love art, but as educators we know that there are a few that feel apprehensive when faced with this subject. At Harnham Juniors, we recognise this; with our values of tenacity and inspiration we encourage our children so that they can achieve, feel a sense of satisfaction and feel very proud of their efforts. It is our intention therefore to use Art as a subject that can build the self-esteem of the children in our school community.
It is also our intent to enhance children’s ability to communicate and express themselves through art. It is imperative that children have access to it for this very reason. If working in a group, children are encouraged to be collaborators and working together towards an end result. Some of our children don’t find communication easy and art is a vehicle for them to do this.
Art allows for our children to express themselves, develop their fine motor skills, use a different part of their brain, take risks and bring balance to their school life.
In summary, we intend for it to be challenging, to encourage tenacity, to teach respect and understanding of a rich and diverse art culture - both historical and modern, as well as local and international so that our children can deepen their understanding and respect of this varied and vibrant subject and develop harmony in our community and the wider world.
Implementation
Our Art curriculum follows an annual rotation of skills that are built on and deepened as a child goes through the school. Art can be linked to all areas of our curriculum as we see fit in our planning. As long as Milestones are being covered, then teachers plan as topics evolve. Through collaboration of subject leaders and because we value art, we will always try to find ways for our children to tap into their creative potential through art.
As skills are taught, children are encouraged to produce independent pieces of work.
Our curriculum is based on an annual rotation of skills which aims to ensure all children will:
• Explore art techniques and ideas linked to other artists, analyse and critique art works and make plans in a sketch books.
• Experience drawing, painting, printing, collage, sculpture, design and digital techniques of art through the year.
• Learn art skills and practise techniques which can then be used in final pieces of work.
• Have opportunities to work alone and collaboratively.
• Access art skills and knowledge that is relevant to their learning and therefore meaningful to them.
As skills are taught, children are encouraged to produce independent pieces of work.
Impact
Children will deepen their knowledge and art skills as they progress through the school as our curriculum design is one of progression.
Our children will gain the skills of self- evaluation and reflection of their own work as well as the appreciation of the art work of other artists – both from the past and modern.
Art activities will have meaning to our children as it is planned so that it fits into their topics as well as other areas of our curriculum, such as PSHE – meaning art is integral to the well-being of our children in our school.
Our children will develop a sense of worth and achievement through our art implementation because we celebrate their work through classroom displays and the sharing of our work within our school community.
How do we know this impact? We measure it using the following methods:
• Assessing children’s work through POP assessment.
• Through learning walks.
• Images of our children at work and of their final pieces.
• Interviewing the pupils about their learning (pupil voice).
• Curriculum Leader Book observations
• Annual reporting of standards across the curriculum.
In summary, the impact that our art curriculum has on our pupils and school community is one of celebration where our children are able to use art as a way to communicate ideas and develop a positive self-esteem. We believe in turn that this will impact on their approach to and successes in other areas of the curriculum.