Art and Design at Larkspur

Intent

Art and Design has a very important place in our curriculum, we see it as a vehicle for creativity and individual expression. Art and Design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation. Our curriculum for Art and Design aims to ensure that all pupils can:

• Produce creative work, explore their ideas and record 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 form.

Art and design activity enriches children’s learning and enables them to communicate their thoughts, ideas and observations in a practical and expressive way. In talking about art and evaluating their own and others’ work, children are encouraged to develop their visual language, ideas and feelings. Through experience of a variety of materials, tools and techniques children have the opportunity to record creatively the world around them. 

Implementation
 

Here at Larkspur Primary School, we ensure that sufficient time is given to Art and Design, in order to enable pupils to meet the expectations set out in the National Curriculum programme of study. The Art and Design curriculum is coherent and shows progression, allowing time for children to take inspiration a variety of artists and art makers of past and present, develop ideas and master techniques. In addition to curriculum time, we also have workshops, external visits and visiting artists into school, throughout the academic year.

Art and Design planning is personalised to the needs of our children; it supports and challenges them and builds on previous learning.  Our Vision and Long Term Plan for Art and Design outlines curriculum coverage, cross curricular links and opportunities to develop children's culture capital.  Each year group has a focus artist to inspire and develop knowledge and skills around.

Impact 

At Larkspur Primary School, we want our Art and Design provision to impact our children in the ways listed below. We want our children to become artistic, creative pupils. In order to achieve that, our children will show:

• The ability to use visual language skillfully and convincingly to express emotions, interpret observations, convey insights and accentuate their individuality.

• The ability to communicate fluently in visual and tactile form.

• The ability to draw confidently and adventurously from observation, memory and imagination.

• The ability to explore and invent marks, develop and deconstruct ideas and communicate perceptively and powerfully through purposeful drawing in 2D,3D or digital media.

• An impressive knowledge and understanding of other artists, craft makers and designers.

• The ability to think and act like creative practitioners by using their knowledge and understanding to inform, inspire and interpret ideas, observations and feelings.

• Independence, initiative and originality which they can use to develop their creativity.

• The ability to select and use materials, processes and techniques skilfully and inventively to realise intentions and capitalise on the unexpected.

• The ability to reflect on, analyse and critically evaluate their own work and that of others.

• A passion for and a commitment to the subject.

We monitor the impact of our Art and Design provision through reflection on standards achieved against the planned outcomes, a celebration of learning for each unit which demonstrates progression across the school, pupil discussions about their learning, which includes discussion of their thoughts, ideas, processing and evaluations of work, lesson observations and monitoring of sketch books.

Current Art and Design Developments

• We are currently working towards Artsmark Gold, a nationally recognised achievement for the quality of provision for the arts in school.  As part of the application we are exploring ways to establish stronger links with our local community.  Visits to art galleries, museums, live performances, local care homes, primary and secondary schools, Gateshead Art College, visiting artists have been organised with a push to strengthen community links, develop staff and pupils skills, communication and creativity.  The 'Roots' project is well underway with lots of new relationships being forged and pupils exposure to arts in the local community strengthened.
• Our School Council are currently working with two art students in the design and creation of a computerised abstract mural to brighten up our school bunker.
• During the Autumn term of staff developed their own skills in print making during a staff training session.  Pupils are now benefitting from their new skills in their own art sessions.

Art and Design LTP

• Art and Design Long Term Plan 2020.pdf

Artsmark Award!

Staff and pupils at Larkspur are celebrating their success in receiving the Artsmark Award.  A fabulous glass sculpture was presented to staff at Beamish Museum in recognition of the fantastic arts experiences the pupils of Larkspur receive.  We were awarded silver and strive to continue to develop our arts opportunities further to achieve Artsmark Gold.

Art Appreciation Day

On 31st January our pupils and staff enjoyed a creative 'Art Appreciation Day'.  Classes were submerged into a host of art activities relating to an art movement and famous artist.  Links were also made with T4W via the text mapping of Artist Biographies to develop children's knowledge of the artist and their work.