At Ide Hill CE Primary School, our guiding principle is the abundant life that Jesus promised for all, as stated in John 10:10. We are committed to ensuring that all children thrive by providing a rich and comprehensive curriculum. Recognising the arts as essential to fostering holistic development in children, we have integrated art deeply into both the structured curriculum and the enrichment opportunities we offer.
To support our vision and values, we have adopted the "Access Art" curriculum, which aligns with our belief in the importance of arts education.
Our Art curriculum is designed to build children’s confidence in working with both 2D and 3D forms across various sizes and scales. Through our Art lessons, we aim to enhance children’s abilities to create images and experiment with diverse media, understand their potential, and use art as a means of personal expression. Our curriculum emphasises developing children’s critical thinking and appreciation of cultural heritages by studying a wide range of artists from different backgrounds and genders.
Art education at our school significantly contributes to children’s personal development by nurturing creativity, independence, judgment, and self-reflection. We encourage children to take ownership of their work, evaluating their progress and reflecting on their development, which instils a sense of accomplishment and growth.
Art is integrated across all year groups with clear progression that both supports and challenges children, fostering lively, creative, and enquiring minds. Our goal is to equip children with the skills and knowledge necessary for leading successful and healthy lives in a dynamic world.
In accordance with the National Curriculum, by the end of Year 6 our curriculum ensures 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.
At Ide Hill CE Primary School, we utilise Access Art planning and teaching resources from EYFS to Year 6 to deliver a comprehensive art curriculum with a clear progression of knowledge and skills.
Art is taught as a discrete subject, and when appropriate, we create cross-curricular links to enrich the learning experience. Throughout the year, children have numerous opportunities to dive into art projects, gaining exposure to new techniques and mediums.
In the Reception class, children are encouraged to express their ideas, thoughts, and feelings through art. They explore a variety of materials, tools, and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form, and function. We emphasise nurturing attitudes of curiosity and questioning, alongside developing skills and techniques, to support the progression of their creativity and confidence.
Our Art curriculum is structured into three blocks annually, ensuring thorough coverage of the curriculum. This approach also guarantees that essential skills are taught and revisited, reinforcing learning and fostering mastery. Additionally, we provide various extracurricular activities to further enhance the children's artistic experiences. These include a weekly arts and crafts club, a fashion club, and promoting art and creativity during break and lunch times. We also engage in community art projects, displaying the children's work throughout the school and the local community, thereby fostering a sense of pride and connection. Through this robust and dynamic art education, we aim to develop our children into well-rounded individuals ready to thrive in the ever-evolving world.