At Ide Hill CE Primary School we seek the abundant life that Jesus promised for all (John 10:10). It is our aim that all children are able to flourish by offering them a rich and full curriculum. We believe that the arts are vitalin developing the child as a whole and that art has a significant and valuable role in both the taught curriculum, as well as in the the enrichment opportunities that it offers to pupils. At Ide Hill CE School we believe that the "Access Art" curriculum offers these experiences and opportunities and we have adopted this scheme as it promotes both our vision and values.
Through the teaching of Art, we aim to develop the children’s ability to learn with confidence in 2d and 3d and on a variety of sizes and scales. Our Art lessons focus on developing children’s ability to create images, experiment with a wide range of different media to understand their potential, and to use art as a medium to express their world. Our 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 National Curriculum for Art and Design aims to ensure that all children:
• 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.
Access Art planning and teaching resources are used from EYFS to Year 6 to teach a comprehensive curriculum with a progression of both knowledge and skills. Art is taught as a discreet subject and, where appropriate, links are made to other subjects. Opportunities are provided for children to immerse themselves into art projects throughout the year and to experience new skills.
Art contributes to children’s personal development in creativity, independence, judgement and self-reflection. It encourages children to develop a sense of ownership over their work and reflect on their experiences through evaluating their progress and development. We regularly take part in whole school and community art projects and this work has been displayed throughout the school and within the surrounding community.
Art is included across each year group with a level of progression that supports and challenges our children so that they develop lively, creative, enquiring minds. We aim to provide our children with the skills and knowledge that will prepare them for successful, healthy lives in the ever-changing world that we live in.
Within Reception class, children are encouraged to represent their own ideas, thoughts and feelings through art. They will do this by safely using and exploring a range of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function. Encouraging attitudes of curiosity and questioning as well as skills and techniques is important when supporting the progression of the children’s creativity and confidence in their ideas and skills.