Art

Art and Design at Aldeburgh Primary School

Intent

Art is a chance for all children to shine, and for all children to discover and explore their creativity. Art skills are taught to all children, enabling them to express themselves through many different projects, and a wide range of techniques. At Aldeburgh our intent is for all children to enjoy art and to achieve the very best they can. Part of this is for them to be involved in workshops with practising artists, who come to the school to share their expertise. Every child will have completed at least two levels of the Arts Award programme before going on to secondary school, with the oldest children being encouraged to work on the third level - bronze (GCSE equivalent) in an after school club.

Implementation

Each year group covers the six main areas of art techniques, painting, drawing, printing, 3D, textiles and collage. We have a two-year rolling programme, which ensures full coverage of the art curriculum and progression in each of the techniques. From year 3 onwards, the children take part in the Arts Award scheme in conjunction with The Red House (Aldeburgh), with year 6 children being encouraged to embark on the Bronze level in an after school club. As part of our art work, the children study an artist, relevant to the techniques being learnt. This also goes towards the Arts Award log book completed by each child and then sent for assessment. The children are involved in choosing pieces of artwork for exhibition at the end of the summer term. During the year we enter art competitions and produce pieces of artwork for the local community, for example: at Christmas children painted wintery houses for display in the shop windows of the high street.

Impact

Each child is able to take part in an art exhibition of their work in school and at The Red House. Each child is able to overcome 'I but I can't draw' as we teach the skills necessary for success. Being awarded a certificate for the hard work that they undertake in working for their Arts Award, is the incentive for individuals to develop confidence, perseverance and resilience. These characteristics are then transferred to other areas of the curriculum. Art also allows the children to express their interests, as well as being a calming but exciting activity, promoting good mental health.