At Eastcote Primary Academy, we recognise that art stimulates creativity and imagination. We teach art through the philosophy of the IB and the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and intend for all students, regardless of need and background, to become expressive, global citizens who make a positive contribution to their community and the world. Our curriculum is designed to engage, inspire and challenge students, encouraging them to take risks and have ownership of their own unique works of art. We aim to create excitement in learning about art so that our students will be inspired to be tomorrow’s illustrators, designers or sculptors.
The children will learn about great artists, craft makers and designers and understand the historical development of their artforms. Through art, students will evaluate and analyse creative works, using the language of art, craft and design. They will learn to become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other craft and design techniques, reviewing and building upon skills sequentially to improve their mastery.
Through the Primary Years Programme (PYP) the art curriculum has been mapped within the six key transdisciplinary themes. Our curriculum mapping enables pupils to deepen their understanding by revisiting concepts over time.
This layered approach supports children in embedding prior learning and integrating new knowledge into larger concepts. Teachers check learners’ understanding systematically and assessment is used well to inform teaching, ensuring progression in the acquisition of skills across year groups.
In the Early Years, children’s understanding of art is taught through ‘Expressive Arts and Design’. This aspect is about exploring, using and refining a range of artistic effects to express ideas and feelings. A combination of child initiated and adult directed activities are planned to build upon previous learning and encourage collaborative creation.
At key stage one, the children will develop their creative use of materials. They will use drawing, painting, printing, collage and the use of IT to develop and share their ideas. Experimentation will be encouraged whilst developing a range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, form and space. Opportunities to explore the work of artists’ will be planned, enabling children to compare different practices and disciplines and make links to their own work.
At Key Stage 2, children will be taught to refine 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. Using sketchbooks to review and revisit ideas enables the children to improve their mastery of art and design techniques. Students will learn about great artists and designers in history to both inspire their own creativity and further develop their understanding and appreciation of art.
Art is celebrated across the school in a series of whole school assemblies where we study artists from across the globe, along with artwork that the children have then been inspired to create. Along with galleries, competitions and our after school art club, this helps to promote an appreciation and love of art in our school.
Pupils will have refined and developed their techniques as they revisit and layer their understanding of art. Learners will develop detailed knowledge and skills across the curriculum. Art enables pupils to think and express themselves in different ways. It strengthens both their understanding of the world and helps to develop a stronger sense of who they are. Our art curriculum leads pupils to be enthusiastic learners who leave Eastcote Primary Academy as critical thinkers, ready for the next stage of their education, employment or training.