Intent

At Arboretum Primary School, art assumes a valued role in our educational program. We embrace the belief that art education offers our students not only joy but also profound personal fulfilment. Our core mission is to systematically impart essential art skills and knowledge to each child, thereby enabling them to demonstrate their achievements through their creative activities. We are dedicated to providing hands-on artistic experiences that empower our learners, nurturing their confidence in their creativity and imagination. We understand that art possesses the capacity to nurture the emotional well-being of our students, and we consider this a vital component of our curriculum. Throughout their journey at Arboretum Primary School, our students will have the privilege of exploring a rich tapestry of artists, which will enrich their knowledge and appreciation of the arts. We firmly believe in the practice of teaching art as a distinct subject while also integrating it into our other curriculum areas.

Implementation

From EYFS through to Upper Key Stage 2, our art curriculum is firmly rooted in alignment with both the EYFS framework and the National Curriculum. To cater to the unique needs of our students, we have crafted a specialized study program by selectively drawing on, refining, and customizing educational materials from Access Art. This also ensures that our planning follows a comprehensive progression document that tracks substantive knowledge and implicit skills. This tailored approach also ensures that our students progressively build their artistic skills and foster deeper knowledge. Throughout their journey, students are encouraged to record their observations and ideas, leveraging these to review and enhance their work continually. Furthermore, our curriculum takes students on a journey through the history as they explore artists, architects, and designers of note. To assure that each child encounters a range of artists and to avoid repetition across different year groups, we have compiled a comprehensive document that designates specific artists for each phase of learning. KS1, LKS2 and UKS2 also utilize a carefully planned, tiered vocabulary to teach and build upon language from phase to phase. This framework ensures that our students acquire a robust foundation of artistic proficiency as they progress through our school.

Impact

The evaluation of students' progress in art is multifaceted and includes an assessment of their sketchbooks, which accompany them as they advance through each year group. Additionally, assessment involves photographic evidence and feedback from pupils. A student's artistic proficiency and their attitude toward art are documented in their annual report to parents. Our students are provided with opportunities to foster their spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development. Across various topics, students are encouraged to:

• Work both independently and collaboratively while respecting the ideas of others.
• Cultivate attributes such as creativity, adaptability, and perseverance.
• Engage in critical evaluations of existing artworks, their own creations, and the works of others.
• Enhance their cultural awareness and understanding, recognizing both differences and similarities.
• Embrace the concept of equality, acknowledging that all individuals, regardless of age, race, gender, or ability, should be considered equal, and exploring diverse solutions to meet varying needs.
• Find enjoyment, satisfaction, and purpose in the process of designing and creating.
• Hone their verbal communication skills through small group discussions and opportunities to explain their own work and the work of other artists.

These acquired knowledge and skills significantly contribute to the holistic development of the children under our care.