Art

Art at Rivington Primary School stimulates creativity and imagination. It provides visual, tactile and sensory experiences and a creative way of understanding and responding to the world. It enables children to communicate what they observe, feel and think through the use of colour, texture, form, pattern and different materials and processes. Children become involved in shaping their environment through art and design activities. They learn how to make informed judgements and aesthetic and practical designs. They explore ideas and meanings through the work of great artists and designers. Through learning about the roles and functions of art, they can explore the impact it has had on contemporary life and that of different times and cultures. 

Where possible our art curriculum will be linked to our school values: Respect, Protect, Give Thanks and Keep Peace. We encourage children to reflect on the important effect that art has on people’s moods, senses, and quality of life. Children at Rivington Primary School have the opportunity to encounter art from many cultures and, through their growing knowledge and understanding of art; they develop more positive attitudes towards other cultures and societies.

Intent 

Rivington Primary School believes that the arts should be central to a well-rounded education. We provide a range of integrated experiences, carefully planned to build on skills and knowledge progression, which give a dynamic focus for the pupils’ learning. Our school used the National Curriculum in England 2014 Framework for Art & Design as the basis for its curriculum planning. We developed our own Long Term Plans for each year group drawing on artistic themes and key artists. While there are opportunities for children of all abilities to develop their skills and knowledge in each teaching unit, the planned progression built into the art curriculum means that the children are increasingly challenged as they move through the school. Our art curriculum is designed to promote 4 core elements; communication, aspiration, reflection, enriching experiences (CARE).   

Implementation

As part of our art planning process, teachers plan the following:

• A knowledge map for each term which outlines knowledge (including vocabulary) all children must master.
• A cycle of lessons which carefully plan for progression and depth.
• We aim to provide high quality art trips and experiences to enrich children’s learning experiences.
• A means to display and celebrate the pupils’ artwork in their class and around the school.

We have incorporated the use of sketchbooks into our art curriculum at Rivington Primary School. Every child from Year 1 to Year 6 has a sketchbook which is kept close to hand whenever we are creating, learning and developing new ideas. The sketchbook does not follow the school's presentation or marking policy; we feel very strongly that it belongs to the child. It's not just a book - it is a space where children can freely express, create, develop and learn, often with limited guidance from the teacher. The sketchbook should be at the centre of their creativity.

Impact

Our Art Curriculum is high quality, well thought and is planned to demonstrate progression. If children are keeping up with the curriculum, they are deemed to be making good or better progress. In addition, we measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

• A reflection on standards achieved and knowledge gained against the planned outcomes.
• Pupil discussions about their learning; which includes discussion of the thoughts, ideas, processing and evaluations of work.
• Use of pupil’s sketchbooks to showcase their artwork journey and reflections.

Equality and SEN Statement

At Rivington Primary School we aim to provide equality of opportunity for all children whatever their age, ability, gender, race, religion or background. We aim to create an environment that values each pupil and enables them to achieve their full potential. We provide a broad and balanced curriculum appropriately differentiated to respond to pupils’ diverse learning needs. The opportunities and experiences we provide enable our pupils to participate fully and give their best across all aspects of school life. We place great value on the quality of relationships within our school community and celebrate the achievements of all pupils.
We appreciate that children may have special educational needs throughout, or at any time during their school career. At Rivington Primary School we aim to facilitate the full inclusion of pupils with special educational needs.

We teach art to all children, whatever their ability, in accordance with the school curriculum policy of providing a broad and balanced education to all children. Teachers provide learning opportunities matched to the needs of children in their class.