At Marden Primary Academy, we value Art and Design as an important part of the children’s entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum. Art and Design provides the children with an opportunity to express their individual interests, thought and ideas. We believe that a high-quality art and design education will engage, inspire and challenge our pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. We build progression in their ability to think critically and developing a more rigorous understanding of art and design. They should also know how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation.
We teach our art curriculum through the Primary Years Programme (PYP), which provides the framework for a range of hands-on authentic and engaging opportunities based on child-led inquiry which will stimulate their curiosity to further inquire about the world around them and a life-long appreciation of art and design.
We use the National Curriculum for art and design aims to ensure that all pupils produce creative work, 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 and know about great artists, craft makers and designers.
The teaching and implementation of the Art and Design Curriculum at Marden Primary Academy is based on the National Curriculum and linked to our inquiries to ensure a well-structured approach to this creative subject.
Art is interleaved within units of inquiry, allowing them authentic opportunities to key concepts, skills and knowledge of art and design. Areas covered include sculpture mosaics, printing based on our inquiry around pattern and symbols, nature, Aboriginal art, suffragette propaganda posters, painting, pointillism, Pop Art and the works of the Impressionist artists. The work of famous local, national and international artists are explored to enhance the children’s learning.
Teachers use this information to inform future lessons; ensuring children are supported and challenged appropriately. Curriculum coverage and children’s outcomes are analysed on a termly basis to inform and address any trends or gaps. Children in Foundation Stage are assessed within Expressive Arts and Design and their progress is tracked termly. Age related expectation levels are reported to parents at the end of the reception year.