Art

“You can’t use up creativity, the more you use the more you have.” Maya Angelou  

 

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” – Edgar Degas  

At St John the Evangelist Church School we value Art and Design as an important part of the children’s entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum.  We recognise that Art and Design stimulates creativity and imagination. It provides visual, tactile, and sensory experiences and a unique way of understanding and responding to the world.  

A high-quality art and design education should engage, inspire, and challenge pupils.  We encourage children to explore ideas and meaning through the work of a range of artist and designers.  Through learning about the roles and functions of art, they can explore the impact it has on contemporary life and that of different times and cultures. We recognise that an appreciation and enjoyment of the visual arts enriches all our lives.  

St John the Evangelist Church school follows the guidance of the National Curriculum for art and design and we aim 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 development of their art forms 

* All children will produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences  

* Each child will become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and printing techniques  

* Every child will learn to appreciate. evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design  

* The children will learn about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.  

 Our school follows a sequenced knowledge-based approach to art and design which means that each year previous knowledge is revisited and built upon. This ensures that children’s development and understanding of art and design is embedded.  Over a two year cycle, the children will visit and explore the following:   

 * Developing ideas 

* Drawing

* Painting

* Sculpture  

 * Printing  

 * Art Appreciation  

Where possible, units of work are linked to the class theme. Children are given the opportunity to explore and respond to the work of a range of artists. They are encouraged to use stem sentences and subject specific vocabulary to support their responses. Knowledge is put into practice and skills are built through practise. Children evaluate their work and make any necessary changes or improvements before creating a final piece that can make them feel proud and inspire their future learning and achievement. 

 In EYFS, the children have the opportunity to take part in a ‘drawing club’, where they are encouraged to create their own pieces of art using a variety of medium. 

Each child is given a quality sketchbook in which they record their work and are encouraged to experiment or record ideas. The sketchbook follows them through the school from Year 1 to Year 6 and is something the children feel proud of. It provides an excellent reference for previous learning and demonstrates their development and progress. 

  I can see when I look back at my work how much I have improved.  -  Year 4 pupil 

 In KS1 and KS2, the children take part in an online workshop from the National Gallery. A member of staff is also a professional artist and so the children and staff benefit from his expertise and take part in workshops.

Parents are invited in to see 'galleries' of work across the year groups. They even get to take part in creating a collective piece in Y4/5/6's Banksy unit! 

The staff and children at our school value and celebrate art and design. The children approach their art and design lessons with excitement and enthusiasm.  They delight in seeing their final pieces displayed around the school as it gives them an opportunity to celebrate their work and the work of others.  They are keen to invite parents into classrooms to view their work. Some of the older children recognise the wider value of art and design.

Art makes me feel relaxed. It takes me to a whole different place ‘an art land.’ No boundaries. It makes me feel free. - Year 6 pupil 

It makes me feel like I have escaped schoolwork, It makes me feel calm. - Year 5 pupil 

I like the way I can express my feelings. It is not like math,s no right or wrong. - Year 5 pupil  

I like my sketchbook because it doesn’t have to be all tidy and I don’t have to write on lines. - Year 4 pupil 

Art makes me feel happy.  It is my favourite thing to do! - Year 2 pupil