At Oak Tree we know that Art is a form of self-expression and creativity and can build confidence as well as a sense of individual identity. Having the opportunity to be creative can also help with the children's wellbeing and improve their health and happiness. Also Art helps to develop their critical thinking and the ability to interpret the world around us.

The process we follow to build the children's knowledge is to start by introducing them to the work of an artist, craftsman or focus subject matter. The children are encouraged to make memory links to previous learning and experiences and then create a study page, analysing and annotating their artwork and giving their personal response .

To develop and build the children's skills they explore and experiment with different media and tools and then from these experiences and influences, they plan their own artwork. Finally, they work on making their own piece , questioning and challenging their plans and adaptations as they progress and reflect on their achievements . 

The National Curriculum for Art and design

Purpose of study

Art, craft and design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. A high-quality art and design education should engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. As pupils progress, they should be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design. They should also know how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation. Aims The national curriculum for art and design aims to ensure that all pupils: produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.

Intent

Oak Tree Primary School believes that art is a vital part of children’s education and has a significant and valuable role in the curriculum, as well as the enrichment opportunities we offer our pupils. The art curriculum will develop children’s critical abilities and understanding of their own and others’ cultural

heritages through studying a diverse range of artists. Children will know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms. They can produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences and they will be proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques.

Implementation

The skills and knowledge that children will develop throughout each art topic are mapped across each year group and throughout the school to ensure progression. The emphasis on knowledge ensures that children understand the context of the artwork, as well as the artists that they are learning about and being inspired by. This enables links to other curriculum areas, including humanities, with children developing a considerable knowledge of individual artists as well as individual works and art movements. A similar focus on skills

means that children are given opportunities to express their creative imagination, as well as practise and develop mastery in the key

processes of art: drawing, painting, printing, textiles and sculpture. The school’s high quality art curriculum is supported through the availability of a wide range of quality resources, which are used to support children’s confidence in the use of different media. 

Impact

Classroom displays reflect the children’s sense of pride in their artwork and this is also demonstrated by creative outcomes across the wider curriculum. The school environment also celebrates children’s achievements in art and demonstrates the subject’s high status in the school, with outcomes, including sculptures, enhancing the outdoor as well as indoor environment. The Art curriculum at Oak Tree Primary School contributes to children’s personal development in creativity, independence, judgement and self-reflection.