Art & Design

Intent

Belmont Primary School believes that art is a vital part of children’s education and has a significant and valuable role in the curriculum, as well as the enrichment opportunities we offer our pupils. We believe art education stimulates creativity and imagination whilst giving the child unique opportunities to develop intellectually, emotionally, physically and socially. 

Art is a fantastic way for all children of all ages to express themselves, be creative and to explore. Children will develop their understanding of the visual language of art with effective teaching and considered sequences of lessons and experiences. Understanding of the visual elements of art and design (line, tone, texture, colour, pattern, shape, 3D form) will be developed by providing a curriculum that will enable children to reach their full potential.

“All children are artists” – Pablo Picasso

Implementation

At Belmont Primary School, the teaching and implementation of the Art and Design Curriculum is based on the National Curriculum. The skills and knowledge that children will develop throughout each art topic are mapped across each year group and throughout the school to ensure progression. The emphasis on knowledge ensures that children understand the context of the artwork, as well as the artists that they are learning about and being inspired by. This enables links to other curriculum areas, with children developing a considerable knowledge of individual artists as well as individual works and art movements. A similar focus on skills means that children are given opportunities to express their creative imagination, as well as practise and develop these skills in the key processes of art: drawing, painting, printing, textiles and sculpture. Coordinated whole-school project work will ensure that art is given high status in the curriculum and all students take part in the ‘Creative Arts Week Exhibition’ which enables further focus on children’s artistic skills and knowledge. 

Early Years Foundation Stage

Pupils explore and use a variety of media and materials through a combination of child initiated and adult directed activities. They have opportunities to learn to:

• Explore the textures, movement, feel and look of different media and materials
• Respond to a range of media and materials, develop their understanding of them in order to manipulate and create different effects.
• Use different media and materials to express their own ideas
• Explore colour and use for a particular purpose
• Develop skills to use simple tools and techniques competently and appropriately
• Select appropriate media and techniques and adapt their work where necessary

Key stage 1

Pupils are taught:

1. to use a range of materials creatively to design and make products
2. to use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination
3. to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space
4. about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work.   

Key stage 2

Pupils are taught to develop their techniques, including their control and their use of materials, with creativity, experimentation and an increasing awareness of different kinds of art, craft and design.

Pupils are taught:

1. to create sketch books to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas
2. to improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials [for example, pencil, charcoal, paint, clay]
3. about great artists, architects and designers in history.

Impact

Classroom displays reflect the children’s sense of pride in their artwork and this is demonstrated by creative outcomes across the wider curriculum. The school environment also celebrates children’s achievements in art and demonstrates the subject’s passion in the school, with outcomes enhancing the school environment.

The Art curriculum at Belmont Primary contributes to children’s personal development in creativity, independence, judgement and self-reflection.

ART IN THE CURRICULUM GALLERY

SKETCHBOOK IDEAS GALLERY

Policy

Please refer to our Policies and Procedures page.