Intent, Implementation and Impact
Intent
At Eastgate Academy we believe that art is a vital part of children’s education and has a significant and valuable role in the taught curriculum, as well as the enrichment opportunities we offer our pupils. The art curriculum will develop children’s critical abilities and understanding of their own and others’ cultural heritages through studying a diverse range of male and female artists. The breath of study aims to develop our children’s cultural capital and a wider knowledge of the world around them. Children will develop their understanding of the visual language of art with effective teaching and considered sequences of lessons and experiences. Understanding of the visual elements of art and design (line, tone, texture, colour, pattern, shape, 3D form) will be developed by providing a curriculum which will enable children to reach their full potential.
Implementation
The art curriculum is based upon the Primary Knowledge curriculum (PKC) which has adapted to suit our whole school curriculum with the aim to interlink with other subjects. The knowledge and skills that children will develop throughout are mapped across each year group and throughout the school to ensure progression. The PKC has a strong emphasis on the learning of knowledge of artists from different time periods, in different countries and using different mediums. This enables links to other curriculum areas, including humanities, with children developing a considerable knowledge of individual artists as well as individual works and art movements within their geographical and historical contexts. A balanced focus on skills ensures that children are given opportunities to express their creative imagination, as well as practise and develop mastery in the key processes of art: drawing, painting, printing, textiles and sculpture. An enquiry based approach across the school encourages the children to ask questions about the art work in front of them, to discuss what they observe, analyse skills and techniques and to critique using a considered perspective. Co-ordinated whole-school project work will ensure that art is given high status in the curriculum and the school takes part in the Open Studios programme which enables further focus on children’s artistic skills and knowledge in collaboration with other local schools. The school’s high quality art curriculum is supported through the availability of a wide range of quality resources, which are used to support children’s confidence in the use of different media; including the use of outdoor, natural materials in our outdoor learning area.
Impact
Displays celebrate the children’s work and instil a sense of pride in their artwork. This is further demonstrated by creative outcomes across the wider curriculum. The school environment also celebrates children’s achievements in art and demonstrates the subject’s high status in the school, with outcomes, including sculptures, which enhance the outdoor as well as indoor environment. The Art curriculum at Eastgate Academy contributes to children’s personal development in creativity, independence, judgement and self-reflection.