ART/DT

At St George’s we teach Art through a range of skills such as: sketching, painting, using a wide range of materials and creating 3D sculptures.  We try to make links between the skills and knowledge they develop in Art and those that they may acquire in other subjects. For example, when looking at mosaics in Art they will learn how colours can be used to create a picture, but also have an understanding of symmetry, shape and Roman history.  

Furthermore, Design Technology is taught through a variety of skills such as: researching, planning, creating, assessing and evaluating the purpose of what the children have created. We try to make as many cross-curricular links as possible. For example, in Year Five the children designed and created Viking Longboats. When creating a model of a Viking Longboat, the children also understood the purpose of the Viking Longboat and specific features i.e. tall sails for the wind to help the boat travel faster, and a fierce prow to scare their enemies.

By making links to other areas of the curriculum, children are given the opportunity to develop their understanding, and to develop their vocabulary base through repetition of new words.  

Intent

• To deliver creative skills and programmes of study as described in the National Curriculum.
• To promote a love of creative learning though discrete lessons and cross curricular learning. 
• To link skills and vocabulary across subjects, terms and year groups so it is continually built on throughout their academic lives.

Implementation

Art and Design Technology are both taught for one half term each during a full term, and will include at least six engaging and progressive lessons. These subjects are taught by the class teacher through a topic that is linked to the overarching termly topic or a particular artist. The lessons will usually be inspired by the current topic being studied to enhance the depth and breadth of the learning.  Whilst Art is taught as a sequence of stand-alone lessons, Design Technology may be taught in blocks of lessons to allow the children plenty of time to create their piece of work. 

Impact

The impact of both Art and Design Technology is monitored throughout the year by SLT and the subject leader through looking at children’s work within a class and across the school to ensure there is progress and children are developing a range of skills. At the beginning of each half term, the subject leader and a member of SLT will check that the planning is engaging for the children, differentiated to support the needs of all children and that it will progress their learning.

EYFS

The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum supports children’s understanding of Art and Design Technology through the planning and teaching of ‘Expressive Art and Design’. A range of child and adult led activities are planned for to encourage children to explore different aspects of the arts linked to our theme. Children have access to a junk modelling area which they explore freely to plan, make, and evaluate the models that they make.  Children are encouraged to be imaginative through play by taking on the role of characters and using story language in our role play and small world areas.