Art

The Access Art Primary Art Curriculum is used to help deliver a rich, broad, balanced, diverse and engaging art curriculum. Blackthorns has implemented this art scheme as a Split Primary Art Curriculum, alternating our teaching time with Design and Technology.  The Split Primary Art Curriculum has one area of focus per term: 

Autumn Term:  

• Drawing & Sketchbooks 

Spring Term: 

• Surface & Colour 

Summer Term: 

• Working in Three Dimensions 

Implementation

Our art curriculum is designed around the idea that art is far more than a series of technical skills, our holistic curriculum nurtures creative thinking skills and helps ensure pupils learn through art, as well as about art. We use Access Art to support our staff in delivering high quality teaching with learning carefully sequenced in order to deepen understanding of key concepts. Our children learn a wide range of skills, developing understanding and showing clear progression. which will hold them in good stead whichever direction their learning takes them. 

At Blackthorns, our art and design lessons are taught over a number of weeks to allow children to acquire a wealth of substantive knowledge as well as learning and embracing unique skills. Teachers use Access Art resources, which have been designed by a set of highly skilled artists, to inform the planning and delivery of rich, fulfilling, and fun lessons. We alternate our art and design with design technology each half term. Teachers understand the need to allow time for practise and application of the skills and processes learnt, so that by the end of each key stage every child is confident in their understanding. 

In Reception, pupils are taught: 

• Develop their small motor skills so that they can use a range of tools competently, safely and confidently. 
• Use their core muscle strength to achieve a good posture when sitting at a table or sitting on the floor. 
• Develop overall body-strength, balance, coordination and agility. 
• Explore, use and refine a variety of artistic effects to express their ideas and feelings. 
• Return to and build on their previous learning, refining ideas and developing their ability to represent them. 
• Create collaboratively, sharing ideas, resources and skills. 
• Hold a pencil effectively in preparation for fluent writing - using the tripod grip in almost all cases. 
• Use a range of small tools, including scissors, paintbrushes and cutlery. 
• Begin to show accuracy and care when drawing. 
• Safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function. 
• Share their creations, explaining the process they have used. 

In Key Stage 1, pupils are taught: 

• To use a range of materials creatively to design and make products. 
• To use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination. 
• To develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space. 
• About the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work. 

In Key Stage 2, pupils are taught: 

• To develop their techniques, including their control and their use of materials, with creativity, experimentation and an increasing awareness of different kinds of art, craft and design. 
• To create sketch books to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas. 
• To improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials. 
• About great artists, architects and designers in history. 

Curriculum Intent 

A high-quality art and design education should engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. 

At Blackthorns Community Primary Academy, we aim to develop pupils’ skills and knowledge, so that they leave our school with creativity and confidence. They should also know how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our world. 

At Blackthorns, we aim to ensure that all pupils: 

• 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 forms. 

How do we assess Art and Design? 

Pupils at our school look forward to art and design lessons and thoroughly enjoy being creative and exploring their artistic capabilities. Children are proud of their work and because they build upon their creative confidence year on year, they enjoy discussing their work with others. 

Our pupils relish learning about new art media, putting it to use and finding out what visual wonders they can create. As pupils progress, they become increasingly able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design, which means that they can step into KS3 and continue their learning with confidence. 

Within the context of each unit and each lesson, success criteria are evaluated which build to develop a picture of a child’s overall achievement and attitudes towards the subject. National Curriculum statements guide our judgements as to whether children are working at an age-appropriate level within the subject. 

Curriculum Overview