Vision for Art
‘I can do all things through Him who strengthens me’ (Philippians 4:13)
‘With fun and learning, hand in hand, all things are possible.’
We believe that all children are creative, adventurous and expressive learners. It is essential that children are able to skillfully and convincingly convey their individuality and emotions and that they are able to interpret others, through learning from observation and hands on experiences.
At Archbishop Benson, we intend to give children the skills, concepts and knowledge to achieve their academic goals in art – communicating fluently in visual and tactile form, using visual language effectively and to explore different mediums, developing their curiosity and their ability to think creatively, with a level of originality. But we also strive to give them opportunities for reflection, enabling the children to act like creative practitioners and make critical responses to their own and others work. Through providing rich experiences and broad opportunities, children will be able to develop themselves not just creatively and imaginatively, but also socially, emotionally and culturally. This will also develop life skills, such as problem solving and enhance their passion and pleasure for the creative arts.
Throughout the school, art is planned and taught with a cross-curricular approach, enriching their topic work and allowing them to learn with progression and depth. All children are equipped with excellent knowledge and understanding of artists, craft-makers, designers, events and contexts that have shaped the creative world as we know it now. By observing a range of historical periods and artists, children are able to interpret ideas and are inspired to reflect critically, replicate and develop their own innovative techniques. All the while developing their curiosity, independence and initiative to develop their own artistic personality.
As the children progress through the years, they are equipped with practical skills in using a range of media and materials, including opportunities to explore drawing, painting, printing, collage, textiles, 3D work and digital art. By allowing the children to experiment and be inquisitive, they will develop their own artistic personality and the ability to select and use materials, processes and techniques confidently and inventively. They will be able to realise their intentions and celebrate their intended and unexpected successes.
We seek to:
- deliver the aims and content of the National Curriculum: developing ideas, mastering techniques and taking inspiration from the greats with clear progression in skills.
- plan and structure lessons to be inclusive so that all children can acquire and apply core skills and develop a sense of creativity and success using a range of different mediums
- deliver a hands-on curriculum, which gives all children access to different experiences, concepts and big ideas in each area, and creates an atmosphere of ‘I can do it’ in the classroom
- motivate and involve children in their learning by sharing work from different artists, designers and craft-makers
- lead children into discovering independently, and making them aware of the cross-curricular connections, for example in history and geography.
- Provide quality resources for the children to be able to access with a level of confidence and independence
- keep up to date as teachers and share good practice