Walderslade Primary School

Intent

At Walderslade Primary School we want to inspire, engage and challenge pupils by equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment and create their own works of art. As they progress through the school, they will develop a deeper understanding of art and design, exploring the impact it has on the contemporary life and that of different times and cultures. We want to equip our children with not only the statutory National Curriculum areas but continue to provide them with a curriculum that fosters their love of learning and prepares them for opportunities and experiences in the future.   

Our Walderslade Progression Map identifies the key areas of pupils’ learning in Art and Design and aims for pupils to:

• 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

Implementation

The children’s artistic journey begins in the Foundation Stage. Through ‘Expressive Arts and Design’, the children freely explore ‘materials, tools and techniques, experiment with colour, design, texture, form and function’. As with all areas of our EYFS curriculum, the children’s individual interests initiate the delivery of the curriculum. Throughout the week, the children can be exploring a vast range of artistic approaches, such as paint and colour mixing, 3D structures with modelling materials or comparing the work of practitioners with that of their own.

 In Key Stage 1 and 2, our school uses our Walderslade Progression Map which is rooted in the National Curriculum. We develop our Medium-Term Plans, drawing on artistic themes in the termly expedition. While there are opportunities for children of all abilities to develop their skills and knowledge in each teaching unit, the planned progression built into the art curriculum means that the children are increasingly challenged as they move through the school. Our progression maps focus on the following key areas in Art and Design: drawing, colour, texture, form, printing and pattern.

 As a school, we are always keen to make links with the wider community and we regularly draw on the skills of parents and other members of our community. In addition to this, we take part in competitions and other events in the local area as well as making links with local and national artists. We also provide our pupils with art-themed clubs throughout the year, dedicated art days and collaborative learning opportunities.  

Impact

Our Art and Design curriculum leads to effective progress across each year group throughout the year, with leaders easily able to ensure coverage against progression maps. The impact is monitored through the subject leader’s teacher assessment and Prior Expedition Review (linking to prior knowledge) and Expedition Review (Exit), Subject specific retrieval checkpoints, lesson observations, scrutiny of work, pupil voice interviews and moderation of judgements. The overall impact on the children is that they can develop a range of skills (colour, texture, line, form and space), critically evaluate their own and other’s work and gain an understanding of a range of designers and craftspeople. As children progress through school they will show the ability to take risks and experiment with their work; drawing on what they have learnt in previous years.

Whole school Progression Map - Art & Design