ART & DESIGN AT OAK GREEN SCHOOL

Why do we teach what we teach? (Our intent)

At Oak Green School, we believe that art and design is a critical part of the children’s education where risk-taking and first-hand experiences are at the core of their learning. Children are encouraged to develop their imagination and creativity, aiding them to confidently express themselves, as well as develop an appreciation for art.

The children are given many opportunities to find out about a wide range of artists, craft makers and designers, ensuring they understand the historical and cultural developments of their art forms. We strongly believe in the importance of children not only studying great artists but also being exposed to artists from their own cultural heritage.

How do we teach it? (Our implementation)

At Oak Green School we use Curriculum Maestro as the basis of our Art Curriculum which helps to ensure continuity and progression throughout the year groups, returning and retrieving key knowledge, skills and vocabulary before progressing onto new knowledge, skills and vocabulary. We have made this curriculum our own, making links to our local area and the making it relevant for the children within the school as well as ensuring all children access the learning through adaptive teaching. Pupils learn to experiment with a wide range of media and build on their knowledge and skills each year focusing on three key areas: drawing, colour, sculpture; this is supplemented with the addition of architecture, printing, computing and collage in KS2. These connect strongly to the topics which they learn about so that children have an awareness of their multidisciplinary skills, giving them opportunities to express their creative imagination as well as practise and develop mastery in the key processes of art: drawing, painting, printing, textiles and sculpture.

What is the difference that this makes? (Our impact)

Children at Oak Green will experience a way of expressing themselves through art and develop a growth mind-set as they will learn that art is not subjective. Through art they will learn to be proud of what they are able to achieve by making creative decisions for themselves. The children will begin to develop awareness of the emotional impact the arts have on themselves and on an audience.  They will be better prepared for giving and receiving constructive feedback on their work that will prepare them throughout their life when faced with real-world situations as they continue their learning journey throughout Oak Green and beyond. Ultimately, the children will meet the aims outlined in the intent.