Our Art and Design Statement

Intent 

At Hatfeild Primary School we aim to create a firm foundation for a lifetime love of learning through engaging, inspiring and challenging pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design.   We believe children’s imagination and creativity are central to their self-esteem and this encompasses all areas of the curriculum. At Hatfeild, our curriculum is broad, balanced and rich, developing children’s proficiency and skills in a variety of techniques including drawing, painting, sculpture, textiles, printing, collage and digital media. We also seek to enable pupils to appreciate the design and creativity displayed by iconic artists, designers, and craft makers from different cultures and those who remain unknown.

The level of design, practical skills and evaluation of work progresses as the children move through school, so they are equipped with the confidence to become creative and critical thinkers and have the ability to solve problems both individually and collaboratively.

Over time, our children learn how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation.

'Every child is an artist.   The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.'  Pablo Picasso.

Implementation

To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in art and design, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school. Art and design is taught half-termly or termly, focusing on knowledge and skills stated in the National Curriculum and using the EYFS framework.  It is also taught in a cross-curricular way during thematic  work.  

We focus on the following key areas:

Making skills

Pupils are taught to use a wide range of materials and skills to design and create their own art. As pupils move through school, they improve their mastery of art and design techniques by using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space.
They use drawing, painting and sculpture, textiles, printing, collage and digital media to bring their designs to life and convey their own creative ideas.

Coming up with creative ideas

As pupils develop their design techniques and knowledge of artists and artistic movements, they generate their own ideas based on their experiences and imagination.

Through their sketchbooks, children review and revisit ideas and techniques to inspire them. Children are taught the appropriate skills to be able to execute their ideas.

Knowledge of the artists and the movements they have inspired

Across the school, pupils learn about a diverse range of artists, craft makers and designers. Pupils learn about iconic artists and creators, as well as those that have been influenced by them. Through guided discussions, pupils begin to understand the messages being conveyed by artists through their work. Their understanding of these artists informs their own art and design, where they are able to make links from their own work to the artists and designers they have studied.

Sketch books

Pupils use their sketchbooks to record ideas, develop skills, techniques and experiment with materials. They are encouraged to express their ideas and creativity. Through guided discussion and sketches, pupils can develop and discuss their own ideas.

The pupils use their sketchbooks to refine these ideas and select appropriate techniques for creating their own original artwork.

Evaluating

Pupils are encouraged to share their opinions on art and design. This begins with children simply expressing what they like or how they feel about their own art in EYFS, by giving more detailed reasons behind their evaluations of both their own and the work of other people. Pupils are taught and encouraged to reflect on their progress, taking into account their original intention and others’ opinions.

Enrichment

At Hatfeild we provide subject enrichment through museum/gallery trips, art workshops, art/drawing clubs and learning about many artists, architects and inventors.  This inspires and motivates children to think creatively and have the confidence to become an artist themselves.

Impact

The key NC strands in Art and Design, the EYFS framework and Development Matters have informed our curriculum planning, leading to a direct impact on children's learning, as evidenced in their sketchbooks and displays around the school.  

By the end of their time at Hatfeild Primary School, our aim is for children to have both an appreciation for art and an understanding of the technical skills required to produce different styles of art. We want children to feel confident in their artistic abilities and to feel able to express themselves in their sketchbooks and original pieces, which in turn supports their emotional wellbeing.