Art Curriculum

At Styal, children embrace their ideas and thoughts and become artists in their own right. To achieve this, children are given opportunities to explore and interpret a variety of artists, forming opinions and finding out what inspires them along the way. Teacher modelling supports learning.

We aim for Art to:

• inspire our children
• allow them to be inspirational
• open up different windows on cultures from around the world
• teach our children skills they need to be creative
• give our children chance to express themselves
• allow children to succeed

Our children develop 3 types of knowledge:

• Practical knowledge
  This enables children to make decision about what techniques, materials and media to use. This is taught through repeated practice, play and exploration. There are plenty of opportunities to build on pupils' competencies so that skills become autonomous. Child practise techniques in order to become proficient.
• Theoretical knowledge
  Children develop knowledge of artists and art history. At Styal, we incorporate Western and non-Western art into our curriculum. We also learn about artists from diverse communities. We introduce the historical and cultural context of artists and art work. Our children learn about how artists are influenced by the work of other artists, their political situation and different cultural traditions.
• Disciplinary knowledge
  Our children are encouraged to look at and talk about art. They reflect on how art is presented to them and their own works.

There are 2 different types of art outcome:

• Divergent end points
  This is creative and exploratory. This outcome allows our children to display their knowledge in an experimental manner.
• Convergent end points
  This is a set and defined outcome that displays a specific skill eg. mixing colours. 

At Styal, we have a mix of these 2 types of activity. 

Progression in Art

Skills are progressive from Reception to Year 6 and allow children to develop and build on skills of sketching, painting, printing, sculpture and collage.

We aim for our children to know more and remember more.

Sequencing

Our activities challene, develop and build upon ideas and skills that children have previously acquired.

Sketch Books

Children are able to practise their skills in a Sketch Book where they can develop their skills in confidence in a supportive environment. We may not stop at our first attempt! It's fun to be creative, to develop new styles and to experiment with new techniques and gain knowledge of different artists.

Why are Sketch Books Important?

• It can provide a record of children's learning and progress in Art
• To make children more confident and independent artists
• It is used as a place to practise, develop and focus their work
• To help children know it is okay to make mistakes
• It can provide somewhere to record information about artists 

We aim for children to leave Styal Primary School equipped with the tools and techniques to express their thoughts and ideas creatively.

Assessment

• Formative
  This focusses on the improvement in the immediate task by modifying and refining children's technique. Our teachers adapt their teaching if necessary based on dialogue with the children.
• Summative
  This refers to how well children have learnt the practical, theoretical and disciplinary knowledge over time.

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