Intent

At Northside School we believe it is important to foster our pupils’ creative and emotional development. Pupils are encouraged to use colour, pattern, texture, line, tone, shape, form, space and different materials and processes to communicate what they see, feel and think.  Through art, craft and design activities they learn to make informed value judgements and aesthetic and practical decisions, becoming actively involved in making images, objects and learning to shape their own environment.  They learn the part that art, craft and design plays in their own and others’ lives, in contemporary life and in different times and cultures.  This enables pupils to become involved in, enjoy, understand and appreciate the visual arts which enriches their personal lives and enables them to understand the role they play in society.

Implementation

Time will be allocated each term for Art or D.T. Each subject has a block of one hour each week both in Key Stage 1 and 2.  The time is used to deliver a skills based curriculum covering, painting, drawing, collage textile, 3D, print, communication including ICT. Skills are distributed throughout year groups to ensure there is clear progressions. Art is inherent in teaching of other curriculum subjects. We have a cross curriculum approach to the teaching of art and design throughout the school and work may be taught weekly or in a block.

Through lessons we aim to develop knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of art and design, as well as developing the pupil’s ability to observe, learn and record from the world around them.  Lessons provide visual, tactile and sensory experiences which stimulate children’s creativity and imagination. Children develop an increased knowledge and understanding of the contribution of artists, designers and crafts people and other cultures, past and present. Through art lessons children also develop the ability to analyse and make informed critical judgements about their work and the work of other artists, crafts people and designers using appropriate language.

There are various lunch time and after school art clubs differentiated for Key stage 1 and 2.  Each year we have a themed day celebrating the arts. All pupils are involved in a variety of art activities and will sometimes have the opportunity to work with visiting artists and crafts people. Visits to galleries, exhibitions and workshops are encouraged throughout all year groups during the year to enhance learning.  Displays are updated and reflect the work of the pupils throughout the year.

Impact
During their time at Northside children will have learnt, explored and progressed in art skills taught. This will be evident in the children’s individual sketchbooks. They will be creative individuals who will think creatively and be able to express their thoughts and feelings in a preferred way. Children will have also gained an understanding of different work of other artists, craft workers, architects and designers in different times and cultures.