Art and Design Overview

Art and Design Mission Statement at Ley Top Primary School

At Ley Top Primary School, we use ‘Curriculum Maestro’ to plan our Art and Design lessons. We find this curriculum is really useful because it is well-sequenced, knowledge-rich and it builds on Art and Design skills from the previous year. These skills are built on each year so the children improve their mastery of Art and Design Techniques We teach the children the skills that are essential for them to be able to produce meaningful art throughout their time at Ley Top. At our school we believe Art and Design is an essential part of the primary curriculum.  We are committed to providing all children with learning opportunities and skills to engage in Art and Design.  We believe that every child within our school should have full access to Art and Design as laid down in the National Curriculum.  Children can develop their observational skills through Art and Design, which helps children become better observers to the world around them. Art also encourages expression and visual thinking, which in turn helps children learn other subjects. We also teach the children that Art and Design is not about ability it is just their interpretation of what they see there is no right or wrong. They are taught to appreciate, enjoy and have fun creating Art and Design.

Art and Design's Aims at Ley Top Primary School

Key Stage 1 Aims

I can produce creative work, exploring my ideas and recording my experiences

I can create a sketch book to record my observations and ideas

I can use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop my ideas, experiences and imagination

I can evaluate and analyse the work of other using the language of Art and Design

I can develop a wide range of art and design techniques using colour, pattern texture, line, shape, form and space

I can talk about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, and I can describe the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and make links to my own work.

Key Stage 2 Aims

I can produce creative work, exploring my ideas and recording my experiences

I can develop my techniques, including control and use of my materials, with creativity, experimentation and an increasing awareness of different kinds of art, craft and design.

I know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and I understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.

I can create a sketch book to record my observations and use it to review and revisit my ideas

I can improve my mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials (for example, pencil, charcoal, paint, clay)

I can talk about great artists, architects and designers in history.

I can evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design

Quality of Education in Art/DT at Ley Top Primary School

Our knowledgeable staff strive to meet the needs of all children and apply a range of teaching techniques to ensure that lessons cater for all pupils and are kept varied and challenging. We follow specialist advice in order to make this happen. In a small number of individual cases, this may mean that art and design is not prioritised. Where this happens, we work hard as a school to ensure that children take part in art and design as soon as they are able.'

Art and design is linked with other areas of the curriculum to enrich pupils’ learning.

Staff attend CPD training to ensure they are up to date with any developments delivered by the Art and Design lead.  Staff are familiar with the progression by following and adapting where possible the Cornerstones, Curriculum Maestro, Curriculum 22 to ensure a broad and progressive coverage of skills and techniques.