Intent:

At Pyrcroft Grange we want every child to flourish in art. Our primary goal is to instil excitement in every child, fostering the confidence to engage in the creation of imaginative and innovative artwork.

In Art, children are expected to be reflective and evaluate their work, thinking about how they can make changes and keep improving. This should be meaningful and continuous throughout the process. Children are encouraged to take risks and experiment and then reflect on why some ideas and techniques are successful or not for a particular project. We also want our children to understand that through self-belief and perseverance will lead them to personal pride and gratification. 

In Nursery and Reception, Art and Design is integrated into the children’s daily learning experience through their child-initiated play. Our Early Years environment is richly resourced to stimulate imagination and creativity and offers a strong foundation for children to explore and experience.

Within this curriculum, pupils will embark on a journey that encourages exploration of their own ideas. Additionally, they will delve into the works of diverse artists, enabling them to evaluate various creative concepts and techniques. Our approach seeks to nurture proficiency in a broad spectrum of artistic skills, encompassing drawing, painting and mixed-media, sculpture and 3D and craft and design.

Furthermore, our curriculum serves as a catalyst for cultural awareness, broadening children's perspectives and nurturing an inherent curiosity about different art forms across the globe.

Implementation:

We use the Kapow scheme of learning which provides meticulous long-term planning, ensuring a comprehensive coverage and progressive development of skills and knowledge.

Our curriculum is designed with 5 strands which run throughout. These are: generating ideas, using sketchbooks, making skills, including formal elements (line, shape, tone, texture, pattern, colour), knowledge of artists and evaluating and analysing.

We ensure that key skills are revisited again and again in a spiral model which allows pupils to build on previous learning with increasing complexity.

In Key Stage One and Two, children are provided with their own sketchbook to self-express and evaluate their skills. The use of sketchbooks encourages children to view their artistic skills in a holistic perspective and see the value of the ‘process’ and ‘experience’.  

We recognize the importance of allowing children the space to develop their artistic techniques, emphasizing control and the adept use of various materials. The curriculum promotes creativity and experimentation, fostering an increasing awareness of diverse art forms.

Impact:

The impact of Art and Design is constantly monitored through both formative and summative assessment opportunities. In the EYFS children are regularly assessed using checkpoints for Expressive Arts and Design. Children at the end of the Foundation Stage will be expected to meet the ELGs for Expressive Arts and Design: ‘Exploring and Using Media and Materials’ and ‘Being Imaginative’. In Key Stage One and Two, teachers assess pupils against carefully chosen learning objectives that link to the National Curriculum. Formative assessment is embedded into lessons.

The expected impact of following the Kapow Primary Art and design scheme of work is that children will:

•Produce creative work, exploring and recording their ideas and experiences.

•Be proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques.

•Evaluate and analyse creative works using subject-specific language.

•Know about great artists and the historical and cultural development of their art.

•Meet the end of key stage expectations outlined in the National curriculum for Art and design.

Our children should leave Pyrcroft Grange Primary and Nursery School, equipped with a range of techniques and the confidence and creativity to form a strong foundation for their Art and design learning at Key Stage 3 and beyond.

Kapow Primary is an Artsmark partner. Pyrcroft Grange was awarded the Gold Artsmark in 2019 and is in the process of re-applying for the Artsmark. Participating in this journey inspires children and young people to create, experience, and participate in great arts and culture.