Art

Intent

Art at Earlham focuses on celebrating individuality and diversity through creative representation. We recognise that each child has a different story and we aim to represent this by exploring a range of cultures to deliver the art curriculum. We believe that every child is an artist and it is up to us to provide them with high quality teaching to make room for a natural appreciation for fine arts.

Art sessions will have close curricular links to each current topic to provide all children opportunities to express their knowledge of particular subjects. We will encourage the use of key vocabulary, skills and techniques and provide our pupils with rich language relating to different artist/styles of work.

We have high expectations of pupils and encourage them to appreciate that art cannot be rushed. To capture high quality work, art lessons may take the form of project based work to provide sufficient time to complete each piece. This may be spread over several weeks. We ensure that we are supporting children to progress their artistic knowledge and skills by providing them with  opportunities to practice the skills and techniques they have learnt.

Overview and Implementation

EYFS: Opportunities for art will be available daily either indoors or outside. This does not have to be as an adult led activity. Monitoring and recording will be via Tapestry, in Special Books or available to view on displays.

KS1/2:  Each child will have an individual art book. This will be an ongoing book through the child’s journey at Earlham to clearly model the progression throughout the years. Art will be regularly monitored with the use of whole class sketch books. The art/scrap book is used to document key pieces and projects over the course of the academic year. It will be used for monitoring purposes, marking and feedback. Art sessions will alternate half termly with DT.

All children across the school will be expected to be exposed to key vocabulary relating to their focus skill/artist/technique.

Our children and staff benefit from working closely with a specialist art teachers who works with us on a weekly basis.

We understand that art can be therapeutic and encourage a calm and tranquil environment during art sessions. We are committed to supporting children to feel safe and free to self-express during these sessions.

There will be annual art events/projects involving the whole school. Children will be expected to participate and produce work of a high standard. These projects will be used to bring the school community together and also involve parents and carers.