At Tree Tops Primary Academy, the teaching of Art provides pupils with the skills, curiosity, concepts and knowledge necessary for them to express their responses to ideas and experiences in a visual or tactile form. While art is essentially a practical subject, art should provide immersive opportunities for reflection and with increasing sensitivity, pupils should acquire the ability to make informed, critical responses of their own work and that of others.
There is great pleasure to be derived from Art. Through deeper understanding pupils can gain access to cultural richness and diversity. The appreciation and enjoyment of the visual arts enriches all our lives. We believe that the learning of Art provides a valuable educational, as well as social and cultural experience for pupils of all ages.
Aims
The National Curriculum for Art and Design aims to ensure that all pupils:
- Produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences
- Become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques
- Evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design
- Know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural developments of their art forms
Art is interleaved within units of inquiry, allowing them authentic opportunities to key concepts, skills and knowledge of art and design. Areas covered include sculpture mosaics, printing based on our inquiry around pattern and symbols, nature, Aboriginal art, suffragette propaganda posters, painting, pointillism, Pop Art and the works of the Impressionist artists. The work of famous local, national and international artists are explored to enhance the children’s learning.
Learning is adapted and tailored to meet the needs of all pupils, including those with SEND, through adaptive teaching; including guidance from the EEF (Education Endowment foundation). Educators incorporate explicit instruction, cognitive and metacognitive strategies, scaffolding, flexible grouping and use of technology into daily classroom practice to ensure access for all.
The curriculum offer enables pupils to continuously build on previous knowledge and develop as enthusiastic Art learners. Pupils who are achieving well, as well as those who need additional support, are identified, and additional provision and strategies are planned and discussed with class teachers. Achievements are celebrated in classrooms during, displays across the academy and through academy events. Through exposing pupils to local galleries, we aim to develop our future artists and their appreciation of the art around them.