Art
At Plaistow, we aim to foster a love of Art in pupils as it is a fundamental part of a complete and high-quality education. Art embodies some of the highest forms of human creativity and we aspire to develop a passion for the subject within pupils that they carry with them throughout their lives.
We believe that every child is born with great creative potential that should be nurtured with encouragement to explore a wide range of approaches to making art and being creative, being inspired to make and create their own work that they are proud to display and discuss. We seek to engage, enthuse and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to do so.
On this progressive learning journey pupils develop a more rigorous understanding of Art, enhancing their awareness of how Art reflects and shapes our history and contributes to the culture of our community.
At Plaistow, we strive to give pupils the chance to meet and work with real artists, we provide them with resources and guidance in order for them to create beautiful masterpieces and we encourage them to think outside the box and appreciate what a piece of Art is. We strive to ensure that the pupils have the opportunity to create memorable Art experiences at primary school that they remember throughout their lives.
The Plaistow Art Curriculum
We have a fresh outlook of Art at Plaistow which stimulates and fires creativity, imagination and inventiveness within the pupils. We promote development of observational skills, visual thinking skills as well the ability to express oneself. Our Art curriculum links in seamlessly with our school values, encouraging pupils to have high aspirations when it comes to their creativity which results in joyful experiences.
The three threshold concepts in Art (to develop ideas, to master techniques and to take inspiration from the greats) link in to our Art sequences which consist of a cycle:
Evaluate: To provide pupils with opportunities to evaluate the work of various artists so that they can become visually literate and identify the key elements of art. As well as to develop an impressive knowledge and understanding of great artists, craft makers and designers, understanding the historical and cultural development of their art forms.
Exploring Skills: This is where the pupils get the chance to practice their skills (consisting of: drawing, painting, print-making, sculpture, collage, textiles and digital media) in order to develop their proficiency through experience in order to communicate their ideas through their artwork. This is done in sketch books which encourage the importance of experimentation, exploration and pushing ideas in imaginative ways.
Plan: The children thoughtfully plan their final peice, incorporating the skills that they have developed and have been focusing on into this plan. They are given a chance to develop and deconstruct ideas.
Create: The pupils create their artwork. They are encouraged to take their time in order to produce high quality outcomes that illustrates the depth of their knowledge and accentuate their individuality. Their final piece enables them to express themselves via their production of creative and imaginative artwork.
Evaluate: We end the cycle with an exhibition. First, children develop the ability to reflect on, analyse and critically evaluate their own work and that of others. In some cases, pupils’ art work is displayed and celebrated throughout the school.
In Key Stage One pupils will be taught:
- To use a variety of resources artistically to design and create products
- To use drawing, painting and sculpture to expand and share their ideas, experiences and imagination
- To develop a broad variety of art techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space
- About the work of an assortment of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between diverse practices and disciplines while making links to their own work.
In Key Stage Two Pupils will be taught:
- To expand their techniques, including their control and their use of materials, with creativity, experimentation and an increasing awareness of different kinds of art, craft and design.
- To generate sketch books to record their observations and use them to re-evaluate and revisit ideas
- To progress in their mastery of art and design skills, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials [for example, pencil, charcoal, paint, clay]
- About famous artists, architects and designers in history.
Our subject progressions are bespoke to Plaistow. They have been compiled with reference to national and international bodies and organisations of which our school has membership to:
Plaistow Primary School Progression in Art
Be sure to look at our curriculum maps and knowledge organisers for more information about the art knowledge and skills being taught in each year group.
