Art
At Whipton Barton Federation, we are committed to inspiring every child to develop a passion for Art and Design. Our curriculum is designed to foster creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression, empowering pupils to engage with the world of art in meaningful and exciting ways. By offering a structured, dynamic, and inclusive approach to Art education, we aim to nurture the artistic potential of every student, ensuring that they are equipped with both the skills and confidence to express themselves creatively
Our Art curriculum is grounded in the National Curriculum’s objectives, ensuring that all pupils:
- Produce creative work by exploring ideas and recording their experiences.
- Become skilful in a range of artistic techniques, including drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media.
- Evaluate and analyse art using appropriate terminology, considering both cultural and historical contexts.
- Develop an understanding of great artists, craft makers, and designers, learning how their work has influenced the world of art.
Through these objectives, we aim to provide students with a broad and rich understanding of art, both as a personal form of expression and as a significant cultural and historical practice.
Our Art curriculum is organised into five key strands that run through each year group, creating a coherent, progressive framework for learning. These strands ensure that every pupil develops a holistic understanding of art.
- Generating Ideas: Encouraging pupils to develop their own creative thoughts and approaches through exploration and discovery.
- Using Sketchbooks: Central to artistic development, sketchbooks serve as a personal record for pupils to document, refine, and experiment with their ideas.
- Making Skills: Mastering formal elements of art—line, shape, tone, texture, pattern, and colour—through hands-on practice.
- Knowledge of Artists: Studying notable artists from various cultures, periods, and backgrounds to develop an appreciation for diverse perspectives and artistic traditions.
- Evaluating and Analysing: Cultivating the ability to critique and discuss art, both their own and that of others, using appropriate art terminology.
The curriculum adopts a spiral learning model, where essential skills and concepts are revisited and developed with increasing complexity across year groups. This ensures that learning is progressive and cumulative, allowing pupils to build on previous knowledge while exploring new and challenging areas of art. The curriculum is divided into four core areas:
- Drawing
- Painting and Mixed Media
- Sculpture and 3D Art
- Craft and Design
Practical, hands-on lessons are the heart of our approach. Pupils are encouraged to experiment, take creative risks, and connect their learning to real-world experiences. We ensure flexibility and adaptability within lessons, allowing for cross-curricular connections and providing opportunities for students to express their own creative voice in unique and personal ways.
Our curriculum is underpinned by several key principles:
- Creativity and Independence: We encourage independent thinking and creativity, giving children the freedom to make choices in their work. This promotes ownership and individuality.
- Practical, Exploratory Learning: Pupils learn by doing. Each lesson involves active engagement with different materials and techniques, fostering a deeper understanding of art through exploration.
- Spiralling and Revisiting Skills: Core skills—such as using sketchbooks, applying formal elements of art, and refining techniques—are revisited throughout the curriculum to ensure mastery and deeper understanding.
- Differentiation and Flexibility: The curriculum is designed to be inclusive, with differentiated approaches to ensure all students, regardless of ability, can access and enjoy the lessons. More advanced learners are given opportunities to stretch their skills and understanding.
In the Early Years, Art is introduced through imaginative play and guided sessions where children are encouraged to explore and create with a variety of materials and techniques. They experiment with colour, design, texture, form, and function, gradually building skills that will serve as a foundation for future artistic development.
Oracy plays an important role in the development of Art skills at Whipton Barton Federation. Pupils are encouraged to:
- Justify and explain their creative choices.
- Discuss and debate the work of peers and artists.
- Present and critique artwork, both their own and that of others.
- Engage in high-level discussions around the concept of "What is art?" and other thought-provoking questions.
These oracy opportunities help students to build confidence, improve their communication skills, and develop a critical understanding of art that goes beyond simply creating. They also enable pupils to become articulate and thoughtful creators and critics of art.
By the end of their primary education, children will have developed:
- A strong foundation of artistic skills across a variety of media and techniques.
- The ability to analyse, evaluate, and discuss art using subject-specific language.
- A broad understanding of artists, art movements, and the historical and cultural significance of art.
- The confidence to express their creativity and ideas through independent projects and group collaborations.
Our curriculum ensures that children leave primary school with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to continue their art education in Key Stage 3 and beyond. Through exploration, practice, and reflection, our pupils develop as both artists and thoughtful individuals who appreciate the value of art in its many forms.
At Whipton Barton Federation, we are committed to making art an integral and exciting part of our pupils' lives. Whether it's drawing, sculpting, sewing, photography, painting, or printing, there is an art form for everyone. Our curriculum allows every child to flourish, develop their creativity, and gain the skills and confidence to express themselves through art. We believe that art is not just a subject; it's an essential part of life that enriches our world, and we are excited to guide every student as they embark on their artistic journey.