Art
At Shaw Cross we recognise that there are many professions that require creative talent and we strive to foster this through our art curriculum. We encourage children to be imaginative and have no limits to their creativity. Alongside many opportunities to explore and develop their own work, children are also taught a range of skills and how to use simple tools safely and effectively. In an ever changing world we acknowledge the role that technology plays in art and design and facilitate many opportunities to explore computer software as a media for representing their ideas. This is a particularly effective tool when children wish to amend their work as their ideas develop.
In foundation stage children have many opportunity to explore art through the continuous provision. Careful thought is made to the resources and enhancements provided to inspire and facilitate this aspect of learning. Characteristic of effective learning are promoted through children finding out, having a go and taking an active role in their learning. Children create and explore ideas, and think of how they can approach and adapt their work as they go through the creative process.
Within Key Stage One, children are encouraged to apply previously taught skills, and enhance them in order to refine and improve their work. We have a cross curricular approach to learning and where possible bring art into the curriculum in a meaningful and purposeful way. We encourage children to look at their own and others work, be reflective, and share thoughts and ideas about it. Children learn that art is subjective and that there are no rights or wrongs. It has a unique place in their learning in that there are no boundaries or limitations to what they do or think.
We also broaden children’s horizons to the role that art has in the world and the opportunities that it can open for future jobs, such as fashion, home décor/furnishings, web design etc. We use the work of existing artists as inspiration for children’s own work which they create in a similar style. In some instances we also work directly with artists who come into school support/lead projects. This enables children to explore a range of skills, media and techniques to communicate their ideas and broaden their creativity.
We ensure all children have access to the content of the EYFS curriculum and the National Curriculum for Art.
Click here for the EYFS curriculum.
Click here for the Key Stage One curriculum (year 1 and 2).