General Aims

• enjoy and appreciate art
• develop powers of observation, recording and interpretation
• develop skills in the use of art media
• develop a wider view of the world, its styles, cultures and images
• increase knowledge and understanding of art and artists
• gain confidence in their own viewpoints, artwork and style

Timetable Allocation

Years 5 and 6:

A twelve week module of two hours per week.

Years 7 and 8:

A 9 or 10 week module of two hours per week. 

How are pupils grouped?

Years 5 and 6:

Mixed ability groups of approximately twenty-two pupils.

Years 7 and 8:

Mixed ability groups of approximately seventeen pupils.

What are the National Curriculum Attainment Targets?

Art and Design embraces a common structure with other National Curriculum programmes of study insomuch that, through a breadth of study, it pursues knowledge, skills and understanding of the subject.

The National Curriculum programme includes:

1. exploring and developing ideas
2. investigating and making
3. evaluating and developing work
4. knowledge and understanding of art

How do we ensure your child is developing & progressing?

• Continuing and transferring a pupil sketchbook and examples of work across all years, key stages and phases
• Comparing work with moderated exemplars
• Comparing work across a year group
• Reviewing reports and setting individual targets
• Providing support materials for main targets
• Keeping records of work, experiences and attainment
• Viewing and discussing portfolios of work
• Tracking pupil performance
• Maintaining discussion between pupil and teacher during lessons

Homework

Years 5 and 6 are likely to receive some homework tasks (particularly 'drawing' practice). Years 7 and 8 receive regular homework tasks. These average about three per module. They may be research-based, critique-based or practical.

Summary Overview

Precise details of our art course are too many to outline here. A central topic or theme provides the starting point for exploration and work. The theme may change for each group and the work that develops from a theme may vary. However, a number of strategies are employed to ensure breadth of experience and progression in basic art skills:

1. All activities link to National Curriculum requirements
2. Each year all pupils experience at least one activity in each of the six skill areas of drawing, painting, printing, ceramics, sculpture/collage and critical studies
3. The intellectual and practical demands within any topic are geared to the age/ability of the pupils participating 
4. Themes are not repeated
5. Past reports are reviewed by pupils and main targets form a focus for development
6. Sketchbooks are issued at both Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3 to encourage pupils to experiment with media and develop a personal record of their experiences in art
7. At Key Stage 3 (Years 7 and 8) an open project offers older pupils the chance to select from a range of options before producing a final piece of artwork 

Examples of themes are:

Year 5

Toys - Mask/Totem - Animals - Flight - Sea/Water - Myths/Legends

Year 6

Habitat/Environment - Doorways - Alien/Monster - Domestic Life - Weather - Food - Space

Year 7

Human Forms - Mechanical Forms - Natural Forms

Year 8

Junk - Ravages of Time - Buildings - Reflections - Textures - Artist/Style
(eg Landscape Artists - Surrealism - Abstract/Cubism - Pop Art - 20th Century - Art Deco)