Art and Design

Art and design stimulates creativity and imagination, it provides visual, tactile and sensory experiences and a special way of understanding and responding to the world.  It enables children to communicate what they see, feel and think, through the use of colour, texture, form, pattern and different materials and processes.  They learn to make informed judgments, appraise art aesthetically and devise practical solutions to issues.  By exploring the ideas behind the work of artists, they can begin to appreciate the role and function of art through different periods and cultures.

The objectives of art and design are:

• To enable children to record from first-hand experience and from imagination and to select their own ideas to use in their work;
• To develop creativity and imagination through a range of complex activities;
• To improve the children’s ability to control materials, tools and techniques;
• To increase their critical awareness of the roles and purposes of art and design in different times and cultures;
• To develop increasing confidence in the use of visual and tactile elements and materials;
• To foster an enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts and a knowledge of artists, craftspeople and designers.

Teaching and learning style

The School uses a variety of teaching and learning styles in art and design lessons. Our principle aim is to develop the children’s knowledge, skills and understanding. We ensure that the act of investigation and making something includes exploring and developing ideas and evaluating and developing work. We do this best through a mixture of whole-class teaching and individual or group activities.

Teachers encourage children to evaluate their ideas and methods and the work of others and to say what they think and feel about them. We give children the opportunity to work by themselves and in collaboration with others, on projects in two and three dimensions and at different scales. Children also have the opportunity to use a wide range of materials and resources, integrating ICT where appropriate.

The Foundation Stage

We relate the children’s creative development to the objectives set out in the Early Learning Goals, which underpin the curriculum planning for children aged three to five.  The subject of art in this age range, encompasses art, music, dance, role play and imaginative play.  The range of experience encourages children to make connections between one area of learning and another and so extends their understanding.

We provide a rich environment in which we encourage and value creativity. Children are engaged in a wide range of activities and their responses involve the various senses. We give them the opportunity to work alongside artists and other adults. The activities that they take part in are imaginative and enjoyable.