Art & Design
INTENT
What do we teach? Why do we teach it?
At Ambler, Art and Design is valued as an important part of a balanced curriculum that provides the children with opportunities not only to develop and extend skills, but also to express their individuality. Our Art and Design curriculum and its cross-curricular links engage, inspire and challenge our pupils as they experiment and create their own pieces.
The National Curriculum for Art and Design aims 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.
As pupils progress, they develop a more nuanced understanding of art and design, and are able to reflect on and critique works of art. Children’s artwork is also celebrated within the school and wider community.
IMPLEMENTATION
How do we teach and assess and how does this look in practice?
At Ambler, we follow the KAPOW scheme, which ensures a clear progression of skills, meaningful cross-curricular links, and exposure to a diverse range of artists from around the world that reflects our school community. This approach aligns with the aims and objectives of the National Curriculum.
In addition, children explore the works of both national and international artists to enhance their learning and celebrate cultural diversity. A wide range of mediums – including watercolour, acrylics, pastels, clay, charcoal, and more – are incorporated into art lessons, ensuring a clear progression of skills across each year group. Examples of this include Year 4’s still life and observational drawing projects, and Year 6’s expressive 3D memory box creations, which encourage personal reflection and creativity.
Every Art and Design unit, which is built and organised to support the progression of key skills, is broken down into 4 sessions:
Analysis and background information of art form/artist
Trialling new techniques and planning
Creating their final piece
Evaluating and critiquing their own and others’ work.
The school’s DREAMS ethos is woven into every lesson to encourage the children to feel confident to ‘achieve more’.
As part of a high-quality art and design curriculum, outside organisations are invited to run workshops; children have regular opportunities to visit galleries and museums; we collaborate with local artists and facilities to create links with art and culture within our community.
We instil a sense of purpose and pride in our children’s artistic achievements by celebrating and showcasing their work both in school and within the wider community, particularly through our annual Art Exhibition. Pupils also take part in enriching projects such as the Royal Academy of Arts Young Artists’ Summer Show, after-school art clubs, and our dedicated Arts Week, where an Artist-in-Residence works with the children to teach new skills and inspire creative expression.
IMPACT
Our high-quality Art and Design curriculum equips pupils with the confidence to use a range of techniques and mediums to create their own artwork. It also promotes individual expression, inclusivity and the understanding that art is a way of communication. The children display a sense of pride over their creations which is evident in displays within classrooms and around the school showcasing their work.