Art Policy

Art1 represents the ability to communicate ideas and feelings in a visual and tactile form. It is a visual language with which children can express themselves through a broad range of activities (including drawing, painting, printing, modelling, textile and collage work) using a wide variety of materials, tools and techniques.

Art and the National Curriculum

Art in the National Curriculum is divided into two strands - 'Investigating and Making' and 'Knowledge and Understanding'. The curriculum is concerned with the development of visual literacy. We aim to cover the requirements of the National Curriculum with progressive development and extension of knowledge, skills and understanding from Nursery to Year 6.

Aims

At Saint Peter's we use Art to provide our children with the opportunity to express their ideas and feelings through creative and imaginative skills in a visual form. Through the Art curriculum we also aim to;

develop an awareness of, and enjoyment in, visual literacy through a wide range of activities and experiences

provide a variety of visual and tactile activities to increase knowledge and understanding of the elements of Art ie. colour, shape, texture, dimension, pattern, line, tone, form and space

heighten visual perception of these  elements through first hand experience and close observation of everyday objects, people and the natural and manufactured environment

teach practical and perceptual skills in order to enable the children to design and make images with increasing control over the range of tools, materials and techniques

encourage exploration through the use of different types of materials, tools and techniques

develop motor skills and hand eye coordination through the handling of different types of tools and materials

encourage positive attitudes towards Art (in both their own work and that of other artists)

encourage children to gather and select resources/materials to stimulate Art work (eg. natural/manufactured, photographs, books, magazines, artifacts, works of art)

develop the children's ability to represent and record what has been seen, touched, imagined or remembered, through a variety of media (both 2D and 3D) and showing a variety of scale

teach our children to review their work and  identify ways of developing /modifying/ improving it

encourage our children to appreciate a variety of artistic styles from different cultures and historical periods

teach a balanced programme of Art building upon previous experience

Objectives

We want our children to be able to;

record from memory and imagination

record in visual form what they observe from direct experience of the natural and manufactured environment

explore and work practically/ imaginatively with a wide variety of tools and materials

express feeling and ideas through a variety of visual media

experience activities in all of the elements of Art : - line and tone: colour: pattern and texture: shape, form and space

explore how images can be made through these elements and through the use of different tools and materials

experience both 2D and 3D Art work

use a sketch book to record observations and ideas (Years 3-6)

work individually, as part of a group and as part of the whole class

review discuss and modify their work

recognise and compare different types of Art (from different cultures and historical periods)

apply their knowledge of the work of artists to their own work

collect and sort resources for their work

Assessment and Record Keeping

Art appreciation is always subjective. Assessment of attainment should, therefore, be a continuous process based on the activities and opportunities which have been experienced, rather than value judgments of work produced.

One sample of work should be collected each term in order to monitor progress and help teachers to ensure continuity and progression within their planning. These samples will also help to provide information for end of year reports and end of Key Stage assessments.

Cross Curricular Issues

As well as being a discrete subject, Art can be used to support and enhance work in other curriculum areas. It can be used to encourage communication and social skills, including cooperation and self awareness. Art can also be used as an alternative way of recording children's responses.

Display

Display should highlight the quality and content of children's work. Work should be carefully mounted and attractively presented in order to promote further learning and to show the children that their work is valued. The children's work should always be the brightest part of the display.

Classroom display should be varied and reflect the breadth of work being undertaken within the class. Although display is mainly the responsibility of the class teacher children should be encouraged to be involved with some projects.

Displays should be changed at least once per term.

Resources

Each classroom has its own Art area and stock of basic resources. These should include paint, brushes, scissors, glue, pencils and crayons. Additional and more specialised resources are stored in the cellar.

Reference materials, which are also kept in the cellar area, should be 'signed out' and returned after use.

The Art Coordinator is responsible for the upkeep of resources and assessing needs.

Class Management

Art is predominantly taught through group work or whole class teaching, with individual tuition being given where appropriate.

Information Technology

Computer technology is used for creative purposes (eg. through the use of draw and paint programmes) and for accessing information about the work of artists (eg. through the CD ROM).

Staffing

Each class teacher, supported in the Nursery class by the Nursery Nurse, is responsible for the teaching of Art. The coordinator will give advice and offer support as requested.

Equal Opportunities

Art provides us with the opportunity to explore and appreciate other cultures. Visual expression should be available to every child regardless of gender, race or academic ability.

Special Needs

All children, whatever their academic ability, should have the opportunity to develop their artistic talents fully. Art provides a means of self-expression and communication which children with 'special needs' often lack. Art can, therefore, serve to strengthen their self image and confidence thus giving freedom from pressure and a sense of achievement.

All children need constructive guidance in order to help the development of their artistic techniques and powers of observation.

Safety

Pupils should be taught to use materials, tools and techniques correctly and safely. Preparation and cleaning should be seen by the children as an integral part of the lesson.

Evaluation

Each teacher will evaluate their own Art teaching as part of their planning process. The teaching of Art will be monitored by the headteacher and Art Coordinator.

This Art policy will be reviewed and updated in the light of statutory requirements and school needs.