Art

Our aim is for all pupils to be informed, articulate and empowered:  

In art, this means children are engaged and inspired by a well-designed, sequential curriculum. A wide range of enrichment opportunities and the opportunity to work with skilled teachers teacher. Art is highly valued as part of our rich curriculum and supports children to acquire the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life.

Intent

At Downton Primary School we believe that art is a powerful means of communication, creativity, and self-expression. Through the CUSP Art curriculum, we provide a carefully sequenced and knowledge-rich learning experience that enables children to become articulate, informed, and empowered artists.

Informed

  • Children learn about great artists and designers from different historical periods and cultures.

  • Children develop the knowledge and skills to produce creative work across a range of media and genres.

Articulate

  • Through the teaching of subject specific technical vocabulary and opportunities to discuss works of art children develop their ability to think critically, evaluate and develop their understanding of art and design.

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

  • The focus on having a growth mind-set is essential in the teaching of art empowering children with the confidence to have a go, to learn from mistakes and to keep trying and improving..

 Implementation

  • The art scheme of work, developed by Cusp all key stages, lays out the sequential steps to be taught so that new knowledge and skills build on what has been taught before. Pupils work towards clearly defined high quality outcomes.

  • Key artists and genres to be taught are outlined to ensure children learn about, and be inspired by, a range of periods and artistic approaches

  • Art is taught in units, with lessons sometimes blocked to allow immersion in the process.

  • Each strand of art (drawing, painting, print, sculpture, design and craft) is covered and revisited so that pupils retain and build upon prior learning.

  • Teachers have access to an instruction video from an artist for each unit of work so that they can become experts and improve their own subject knowledge and vocabulary.

  • Children can further their interest and experience by attending one of our arts-based clubs – this includes pottery, and art club.

  • The art lead supports teachers and monitors standards by reviewing planning of units, talking to children with their artworks and observing lessons. An appreciation of the arts is essential to fully engaging in a rich cultural life.

  • All children including those who have SEND or are disadvantaged are supported to fully access the art curriculum. This may include additional adult support, adapted resources or the use of visual supports. Structured sentence stems and taught vocabulary scaffold children in discussion.

Impact

  • Children at Downton can confidently 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.

  • Standards in art are high as demonstrated in the quality works produced. We have had works accepted for the prestigious Young Artists Summer Show at the Royal Academy in the past.

  • We also host an art exhibition of pupil’s work in Salisbury annually. We have received emails from members of the public commenting on the quality of the work on show.

  • When the work returns to school it is celebrated by being hung around the walls of the school. 

 Click here to view the art progression map