Art and Design

Art and design is an important foundation subject and is taught and experienced throughout school linked to the topics. It is used not only as a form of communication but also as a form of expression.

How Art and Design is taught at Lady Margaret Primary School

The Art and Design curriculum, which follows the statutory programmes of study and attainment targets for art and design is intended to engage, inspire and challenge children to develop as artists, to think critically – to analyse and evaluate their own and others’ work and to develop an understanding of a wide range of artists, craft makers and designers from the past and the present and how they can teach us how to express ourselves creatively. Art movements and chosen artists within this curriculum link to History and Geography topics as well as core texts and other subjects when appropriate. Reading is a key part of every lesson whether it be about an artist, an artistic movement or learning about particular art skills. A diverse range of cultures and artists are studied in order to understand the contributions of a wide variety of influences to the development of art over time.

Through the Art and Design curriculum, children are taught how art shapes and develops history and contributes to culture. Pupils are introduced to and become confident with using technical vocabulary to describe techniques and to describe our own and others’ work. All children in KS2 have a sketchbook in which they practise and perfect their skills and this is expected to show preliminary, edited and final pieces of work which show the progression of skills and expertise.

All art lessons are part of a series of planned lessons which include: an artist study (with biographical details), an Introduction to the children to a range of art work by this artist, the techniques this artist employed or employs and other related artists. Teachers are required to demonstrate the skills needed and to use relevant material on websites or videos to further support the children’s skills development. Sketches and designs are made by the children before using paint or making any artefacts and in KS2, sketch books should show the process of design. Art work is also evaluated by peers and by the teacher. Regular art exhibitions and an art gallery provides the opportunity for pupils to exhibit their work and celebrate their achievements, while allowing parents the chance to view their own childrens’ and others’ work.

Our aims in teaching Art and Design at Lady Margaret Primary School are to

Build on the artistic skills
Experience and understanding which the child already possesses.
Encourage the child to find enjoyment, fulfilment, and achievement throughout art, craft and design and see themselves as artists, designers and craft workers.
Develop skills to use a range of materials, techniques and tools effectively and competently.
Feel able to express their ideas, feelings and experiences from life and society creatively develop an appropriate vocabulary to help them discuss their own work and that of others.

By the end of Year 6, we want pupils to:

Know about significant art movements, artists (and their biographies) and how they have influenced culture.
To understand that many diverse cultures influence each other and how artists from the past influence contemporary art.
To be confident at sketching and drawing from immediate experience – with plenty of opportunities to draw the natural environment.
To be able to use a range of media and materials – eg paint, charcoal, pencil, pastels, clay, printing and poly-press confidently and to be able to make choices about the media they would like to use to convey an idea or concept.
To be able to use technical vocabulary to describe a skill, influence or an artistic movement and explain how this has influenced their own work.
To use technical vocabulary in order to evaluate their own and others’ work and be able to understand how to improve pieces.
To have confidence at using a range of techniques and skills in order to produce their required effect.
To have a sense of pride in their work and to share it with others.

Art and Design Overview 2020/2021