Expressive Art and Design

Expressive Art Subject Curriculum Statement

Intent:
The framework for setting out the aims of a programme of education, including the knowledge and skills to be gained at each stage.

Art

Through a high-quality art and design curriculum, we aim to engage, inspire and enable high quality visual arts teaching and learning. We aim for our curriculum to ensure children understand they have a creative entitlement; to develop creative thinking skills and to ensure they learn through art, as well as about art.
We believe that art and design offer opportunities for children to develop their individuality, creativity, self-esteem and confidence. Art enables children to express themselves in a creative, imaginative manner. They are able to explore, express and communicate their feelings whilst gaining knowledge and experiences of the wider world. We believe that the art curriculum should engage, inspire and challenge, enabling every child to have the knowledge and skills to experiment and create their own artistic projects regardless of any barriers to their learning.
We aim to build knowledge and understanding for children beyond that which is technical and factual by enabling experiential knowledge, building self-knowledge and nurturing traits in learners which will hold them in good stead whichever direction their learning takes them.
Learning in art and design is built through a weaving and layering and revisiting of experiences. Our curriculum balances repeated practice and skill building with new experiences - with a variety of materials and scales - in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and collaborative working.
As pupils progress, they are supported to think critically to develop an understanding of how the creative arts reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation. We promote diversity by exposing the children to a range of artists from different eras and cultures.

Design and Technology

Our High-quality Design and Technology curriculum is fully inclusive to every child. Our curriculum engages, inspires and challenges every child to have the knowledge, skills and vocabulary to plan, design and make high-quality prototypes for a wide range of users. Pupils are taught to critique, evaluate and test their ideas, products and the work of others.
We aim to nurture their natural curiosity and develop this to give our children a deeper understanding of their world and to prepare them for the future, where technology plays a vital role in the

Implementation
At Cross Form we teach art through a skills development approach.
The children are taught to use a wide range of materials, tools and techniques and are provided with exciting experiences that influence them to produce creative and imaginative artwork. A clear progression of skills is developed across the academy. They are also taught about the work of a range of artists and designers both from now and through history, from the local area and worldwide.
In Key Stage One the children use sketch books to practise skills and develop their ideas. We believe that the outdoors has great value as an accessible and relevant resource for art and try to incorporate outdoor learning wherever possible.
In DT we teach skills and techniques which are developed throughout their time in the academy. We discuss health and safety and encourage the children to choose the appropriate tools for the task. The children are taught to use a wide range of materials and techniques to design and produce products with a clear progression of skills developing across the academy. Children have opportunities to discuss and critique their own and each other’s work to enable them to develop it further. Children use first hand experiences and real life situations to problem solve.
We teach the skills of music through the Charanga scheme which are singing, listening and responding, musicianship and composition and performance. We also provide opportunities for the children gain knowledge of important moments in the evolution of music and of key musicians and composers, in a range of genres and styles. Instruments are used within in Music lessons and are also provided in continuous provision both inside and outside. Children are encouraged to explore music through natural materials. We thread music into our daily routines as part of assemblies as well as the use of songs, chants and rhymes in other areas of the curriculum. We provide opportunities for children to participate in community events so that they feel connected to others and part of something bigger.
Children have the option to part take in Rock Steady where they can learn an instrument as part of a band. We have a school choir that children can attend and learn to sing together and perform a range of songs and artists.

Impact
Art
We aim for our children to leave Cross Farm...

Able to use a variety of media and skills with expertise to create pieces of art works that they are proud of.
Able to capture, feelings emotions and use a variety of art forms to express themselves
Using art to create for a sense of purpose that allows them to record their experiences, use their imaginations and explore their ideas
Have the freedom to be reflective, adapt and make changes to their learning in a safe environment allowing all to succeed
Using art to support and develop their well-being and explore their skills
Having access to a wide variety of artists and a wide variety of projects
Encouraged to have the freedom to create art and give them independence to be inspired
Demonstrating an extensive base of artistic knowledge, skill and vocabulary

Design and Technology
We aim for all our children to leave Cross Farm…

Acting as responsible innovative designers, planners and makers, working ethically, using materials and resources carefully
Have an extensive design and technological knowledge, skills and vocabulary.
Explore their ideas to express their individuality in creative forms
Have a thorough knowledge of which tools, equipment and materials to use to make their products and nutritional dishes
Manage risk, be resourceful, innovative and enterprising to manufacture products safely and hygienically
Confidently articulate their learning through recording, critiquing and evaluating their products and designs
Have a love and appreciation for DT within the wider world and are proud of their achievements.
The majority of children meet age related expectations in Design and technology