Introduction

Art and design stimulates creativity and imagination as well as providing an outlet for individual artistic expression. It provides visual, tactile and sensory experiences and a special way of understanding and responding to the world. It enables children to communicate what they see, feel and think through the use of colour, texture, form, pattern and a range of materials and processes. Children become involved in shaping their environments through art and design activities. They learn to make informed judgements and aesthetic and practical decisions. They explore ideas and meanings through the work of artists and designers.

Through learning about the roles and functions of art, they can explore the impact it has had on contemporary life and that of different times and cultures. Finally, the appreciation and enjoyment of visual arts enriches all our lives.

Provision - Our Teaching and Learning

In the Foundation stage, children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. This splits areas of learning and development into three ‘prime’ areas and four ‘specific’ areas. Art and design is covered under ‘Expressive Arts and Design’ which is a ‘specific’ area of learning.

Throughout their time in the Early Years children will have the opportunity to:

• Use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques
• Experiment with colour, design, texture, form and function
• Use what they have learnt about media and materials in original ways, thinking about uses and purposes.
• Represent their own ideas through art and design

In Key Stages 1 and 2, and in accordance with the new National Curriculum, children will have the opportunity to:

• Foster an understanding of art, craft and design
• Record from first-hand experience and from imagination, and to select and develop their own ideas to use in their work
• Experience a broad and balanced range of art activities and show progression within these experiences
• Show development of ideas and their own skills through the use of a sketchbook
• Develop their ability to observe, investigate, respond to and record the world around them through a growing variety of forms and media
• Develop use of a range of tools, media and processes
• Develop an understanding of the work of artists, craftspeople and designers and apply this knowledge to their own work
• Provide opportunities for studying historical, cultural and religious art
• Through art, extend and enrich other curriculum areas