Art
Intent
At Bishop Aldhelm’s, we believe that Art is an essential part of every child’s education because it develops the whole child – physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally – whilst also nurturing their creativity and individuality. Our Art curriculum is carefully designed to enable children to grow as artists and as people, giving them opportunities to develop skills, express themselves and celebrate the unique world around them.
The intent of our Art curriculum is to support children’s physical and cognitive development through the refinement of fine and gross motor skills, and to encourage them to explore and experiment with a wide range of media, tools and techniques. It also aims to promote children’s personal growth by helping them express their ideas, build individuality and develop self-esteem and resilience. Through exposure to a wide variety of artists, craftspeople and cultural traditions, our children gain cultural capital and encounter inspiring role models from many different backgrounds. Above all, we want every child to know that their creativity matters, and we celebrate each piece of work they produce as unique and valuable. In addition, our Art curriculum enriches children’s wider learning, making knowledge across the curriculum more memorable, while ensuring they remain closely connected to the cultural and natural environment of their local area.
At the heart of our curriculum is the teaching of the key concepts in Art, which provide children with the knowledge and skills they need to become confident and expressive artists. These concepts are taught progressively so that children revisit, deepen and refine their understanding as they move through the school. The key elements of Art we focus on are:
- Line – exploring how different lines can be used to represent shape, movement and emotion.
- Shape – recognising and using shapes to create structure and form in artwork.
- Form – understanding three-dimensional qualities and how these are represented in different media.
- Tone – learning how light and dark can be used to create contrast and depth.
- Texture – exploring different materials and techniques to represent or create surface quality.
- Pattern – recognising and creating repeating designs to add detail and interest.
- Colour – developing an understanding of colour theory, including primary and secondary colours, warm and cool tones, and how colours can convey mood and meaning.
Implementation
We implement this intent by providing children with regular opportunities to develop their skills through hands-on experiences using a variety of media, materials and tools. Our curriculum builds in repeated opportunities for self-expression, such as self-portraiture, projects that explore children’s communities and lives, and work inspired by local artists and locations, including the heath, the Jurassic Coast, Bournemouth Gardens and the SSSI. Pupils are introduced to a wide range of diverse artists and craftspeople, reflecting different cultures, backgrounds and perspectives. Sketchbooks are an important part of our approach, giving children the chance to experiment freely, learn from mistakes and build resilience. We also make deliberate links with other curriculum areas: in science, by studying artists who were also scientists such as Galileo; in History, by looking at artists influenced by the events of their time; and in Geography, by broadening understanding of cultures and environments through artistic exploration. Every child’s work is celebrated, ensuring that all children feel valued and that their creative achievements are honoured.
Impact
The impact of our Art curriculum can be seen in the confidence, creativity and individuality of our pupils. Children develop strong fine and gross motor skills which support their wider learning across the curriculum. They grow in resilience and self-esteem, taking pride and joy in their artistic achievements, and developing positive lifelong learning behaviours. They gain cultural awareness through exposure to a wide variety of role models, and they learn to appreciate both the richness of their local environment and the diversity of the wider world. By the time they leave Bishop Aldhelm’s, children understand the importance of creativity and self-expression, and they believe in the value of their own unique contribution.