Curriculum Intent

Our aim is for all children in art, to be engaged and inspired by a well-designed, sequential curriculum using a wide range of enrichment opportunities. Art is highly valued as part of our rich curriculum at the WLT and supports children to acquire the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life.

At the Willow Learning Trust, we aim to:

Inform

• Assist pupils in becoming visually literate.
• Provide opportunities to learn about the world in which we live including different artists from different historical periods and cultures.

Articulate

• Encourage children to be able to respond knowledgeably to the work of other craftspeople, knowing that there are different kinds of art made for different purposes.
• Children can use specific technical vocabulary in collaboration with their art pieces.

Empower

• Encourage the use of imagination and original thought.
• Develop powers of observation.

• Works and artists covered reflect the diversity of our community enabling pupils to see themselves within the art curriculum. This supports their belief that they too can be great artists or designers.

Curriculum Implementation

• The art scheme of work, including each strand of art (drawing, painting, print, sculpture, design and craft) is covered and revisited so that pupils retain and build upon prior learning
• Key artists and genres are outlined to ensure children learn about, and be inspired by, a range of periods and artistic approaches.
• Children have an evaluation lesson, where they can develop their artistic voice, opinion and share and discuss ideas.  
• Children can select appropriate materials and styles for their work using purposeful choices and reasoning to achieve their goal.
• The Art Lead supports teachers and monitors standards by reviewing planning of units, talking to children with their artworks and observing lessons.
• Each pupil has an art sketch book
• Sketch books are used as a way of recording and fostering artistic flare within each pupil. They should be used for sketches, initial designs, developing skills, recording ideas and developing opinions including research on artists and genres to inform their projects.
• Cross curricular links are fostered at the WLT and this is enriched with the use of competitions.
• Standards in art are high.
• The WLT fosters the success and celebration of children’s work through displays, art in corridors, exhibitions and online sharing of projects and pieces made by the children.

Curriculum Impact  

• Pupils work towards high quality outcomes.

• Children at the WLT can express informed opinions, make connections and have a developing knowledge of artists from different periods.

• Children build the skills needed to produce their own works across a range of styles and media. 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.
• Acquire a range of different skills using different media as the children progress through the school.

Early Years Foundation Stage

Through Expressive Arts children are encouraged to explore different media, explore how media can be combined to create different effects and develop a range of skills and techniques experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function.

Children are given daily access to a range of creative opportunities and enjoy our carefully planned and well-resourced creative areas both indoors and out. Children are encouraged to create on both small and large scales and our outdoor environment supports this well. Children are encouraged to develop their communication and language skills through talking about their creations and sharing these with others to build confidence and raise self-esteem.