At Abbey, we nurture a love of learning. We open windows of opportunity by creating memorable moments. Learning with meaningful relationships supports our children to become valued members of the community. We embed the core subjects within an expansive and challenging curriculum. We develop and nurture young minds, creating memorable moments and events. We promote and celebrate equality and diversity.

Intent

Art is highly valued as part of our rich curriculum. At Abbey, we aim for all children to be engaged and inspired by a well-designed, sequential art curriculum with a wide range of enrichment opportunities. We support our children in becoming visually literate; we provide opportunities to learn about the world in which we live including different artists from different historical periods and cultures; we encourage our children to be able to respond knowledgeably to the work of other artists; and encourage the use of imagination and original thought. At Abbey, we strive to reflect the diversity of our community enabling pupils to see themselves within our art curriculum: supporting their belief that they too, can be great artists.

Implementation

Our sequential scheme of work focuses on four key techniques: drawing, painting and mixed media, sculpture and 3D, craft and design. There is a clear progression in practical knowledge, key concepts, key artists and key vocabulary. Our learning journey includes the study of one key artist; the opportunity to make informed decisions about which materials and techniques to select; and the chance to develop their artistic voice, responding to and sharing their opinions. Our lesson journey includes SEEC, retrieval, a key art skill and opportunities for independent practice. Sketch books are used as a way of recording and fostering artistic flare within each pupil. They are used for sketches, initial designs, developing skills, recording ideas and developing opinions including research on artists and genres. Our curriculum map outlines the units covered, the cross curricular links and enrichment opportunities. Our most talented artists are celebrated in the Abbey Art Gallery and through our KS2 Art Presidents. Formative assessment enables us to adapt our teaching. At Abbey, we are mindful of the limitations of summative assessment, especially when making evaluative judgements about artistic outcomes.

Impact

Our children work towards high quality outcomes. They express informed opinions, make connections and have a developing knowledge of artists from different periods. Children build the skills needed to produce their own work across a range of styles and media. They develop the ability to communicate ideas, opinions, and feelings about their own work and that of others and can evaluate their work fully, identifying their likes and dislikes. Children acquire a range of different skills using different media as they progress through the school.