Intent

At Canklow Woods Primary School we believe that the teaching and learning of art is imperative to stimulate creativity, imagination and inventiveness. The purpose of art education is to give pupils the skills, concepts and knowledge necessary for them to express and respond to ideas and experiences in a visual or tactile form. It fires imagination and is a fundamental means of personal expression. It enables children to communicate what they see, feel and think through the use of colour, texture, form, pattern and material processes.

Children explore ideas and meanings through the work of artists and designers. Art is not taught in isolation, although it retains its creative base and its skills and techniques. Wherever appropriate it is linked to other areas of the curriculum, giving children the opportunity to reinforce established skills and provide historical context.

Art has the power to inspire and address. Its subjects range from emotions and philosophy to politics and religion. It can reflect the world or be the stimulus for conversation itself. As well as giving children the skills and techniques for self-expression it can offer an introduction to critical thinking, reasoning and debate. Art is a platform for forming and justifying opinions in a safe place where much of the curriculum is taught. It is the grey areas between the black and the white.

Implementation

Art is planned and taught using our progression framework to achieve National Curriculum objectives. Different 'skills' belong to the fundamental threads of art (shape/form, colour, mark-making, perspective and critical thinking) and are found in the progression framework document. This ensures progression through each factor. Where cross curricular links cannot be made, we allocate art movement studies that are essential to learning the history of art and give context to the curriculum. As a school we celebrate and recognise work created at home and at school in the form of exhibitions and collaborative works that create bonds between year groups and the community.

Impact

Through the practice of art and design, children learn creative skills to communicate, invent and explore. High expectations set by skilled teachers enable children to revisit and perfect technique. Amongst an enviable artistic skill set, children learn a resilience and patience necessary for any aspiring individual. Skills learnt in art are essential and transferable.