How is Art and Design taught at Lydney C of E School?

Our Art and Design scheme at Lydney C of E School follows the spiral curriculum model where previous skills and knowledge are returned to and built upon. Units of lessons are sequential and allow children to build their artistic skills and knowledge over time and apply them to a range of outcomes. Children progress in terms of tackling more complex tasks and doing more simple tasks better, as well as developing their understanding and knowledge of Art History and the interrelated dimensions of Art and Design such as line, colour and tone. Units of work in Art and Design are usually taught on a weekly basis, although individual teachers may choose to combine or block some art lessons to suit the needs of their class and their year group’s curriculum as a whole.

EYFS

Art and Design is taught weekly in our Reception class and these lessons follow the EYFS Kapow Scheme of work, which places a high focus on exploration and self-expression. Both in art lessons and throughout the EYFS curriculum, children’s creativity and work is celebrated and children are proud of the artwork they produce.

Key Stage 1

During Art and Design lessons in  KS1,  students focus on the four core areas of Drawing, Painting and Mixed Media, Sculpture and 3D modelling and Craft and Design. In Art sessions, students will actively participate in activities drawn from a range of styles and traditions, developing their independent artistic skills and creativity. Lessons are predominantly practical in nature and encourage experimental and exploratory learning, with pupils using sketchbooks to document and refine their ideas. Where possible, teachers make cross curricular links with other areas of learning through the students’ art projects.

Key Stage 2

At Key Stage 2, students continue to actively participate in increasingly complex artistic activities drawn from a range of styles and traditions, developing their creative design skills and their understanding of art techniques and strategies. Lessons remain predominantly practical in nature and students are encouraged to further develop their experimental and exploratory learning, using sketchbooks with increasing confidence to document and refine their ideas. Where possible, teachers make cross curricular links with other areas of learning through the students’ art projects. Other opportunities for Art and Design, such as local competitions, themed weeks, extra-curricular clubs, school displays and art linked to special occasions and celebrations such as Christmas, are also a key part of children’s creative experiences at this age.

Inclusion, Quality First Teaching, Support and Assessment

A ‘can do’ attitude is adopted by both staff and students in art and design sessions and the belief is that everyone can achieve and succeed in creating art. Children are encouraged to practise, persevere and try out new skills and forms of expression.

Our art and design curriculum at Lydney C of E School is designed to be a positive and inclusive experience for every student within our community. All children are given opportunities to explore and create in art sessions and our teachers provide the time and space for students to develop a love for art. Through the Kapow Art and Design scheme, differentiated guidance is available for every lesson to ensure that lessons can be accessed by all pupils and opportunities to stretch pupils’ learning are available when required. Staff also have access to CPD and supporting videos to enable them to confidently support a range of learners when teaching art.

Formative assessment is a key part of art and design lessons at Lydney C of E School and teachers observe, listen to and question their students to check understanding and to move learning forward. Teachers record end of unit judgements for Art and Design on our school tracking system Insight. 

Extra-Curricular Provision

Lydney C of E School prides itself on its ability to foster and support a love of art and design and champions students who demonstrate a passion or talent for the subject. Children are given regular opportunities to practise and present their artwork both in and out of school time and the displays in school celebrate students’ creativity and enthusiasm for art.

In addition to art lessons, there are frequent opportunities for our children to engage with and to celebrate art through extra-curricular clubs, local arts-based projects and competitions. Further opportunities for art and design are also interwoven throughout our curriculum here at Lydney C of E and it is often used as a stimulus to spark creativity and ideas in other subject areas or as medium to demonstrate learning in other subjects.