Art and Design
At Anston Park infant School we love to draw, paint and create! Art and Design is embedded into the broad and balanced curriculum we offer in order to provide children with the opportunity to express their individual ideas and experiences and develop their skills. Children are encouraged to experiment with different tools and resources and use their imagination to produce their own art work. They are encouraged to think critically about how they might improve their creations which leads them on to a more rigorous understanding of art and design. Children will also explore the part this subject has played in the history and culture of people throughout the world. So many careers are opening up in this area of study in fashion, photography, digital design and events management as well as the more traditional areas of fine arts, ceramics and sculpture. We aim to foster an appreciation of art and design in all of our children and some may be so inspired they choose to use the skills they have developed in their future career.
Intent
Our teaching is based on the concept of embedding basic skills in EYFS through the strands of Being imaginative and Exploring and Using Media and Materials. Skills are then built up progressively in succeeding years, based on the National Curriculum. The key areas of study are Paint, Drawing, Printing and Clay. Children are encouraged to use their imagination, be independent learners, experiment with different mediums, develop critical skills but most of all, gain a sense of achievement, excitement and wonder about what they see and what they create.
Implementation
Paint involves teaching children about how to mix colours and how to select and use tools. We start in EYFS with naming colours and holding brushes and water sponges correctly. This leads on in Y1 and Y2 to develop knowledge about primary and secondary colours and the creation of tints and tones. Children are taught to choose a brush size for a specific task and to confidently paint foregrounds and backgrounds as well as the focus of their artwork. Children study the works of famous artists as a stimulus for their own creations. Key vocabulary is taught such as palette, observation, landscape and portrait.
Drawing teaches the principles of illustration from mark making and drawings from first hand experiences to teaching children about shade and texture and making detailed representations from observations or imagination. Children are taught how to use the different grades of sketching pencils, charcoal and pastels. Observational techniques are taught so children can include more detail in their work. Key vocabulary includes pattern, texture, light and shade.
Printing gives children the opportunity to print and form patterns as part of picture making. Children are encouraged to experiment with a variety of printing techniques, using a multi-coloured approach when printing on paper or fabric. They are encouraged to make their own choices as to how their creations will develop. Key vocabulary such as print, rub, imprint and combine are taught.
Clay work encourages children to use their imagination and get hands on experience with making 3-dimensional objects. Children are taught how to manipulate clay into different shapes and ultimately to cut shapes out of clay and use slip to add pieces to their creations. They are taught how to add a range of finishing techniques, including paint and how to draw and make marks in clay. Key vocabulary includes roll, pinch, squeeze, stretch, scrape and coil.
Impact
After the implementation of the Art and Design curriculum at Anston Park Infant School our children will have developed skills which allow them to confidently express themselves using drawing, painting and sculpture, in order to share their ideas, experiences and imagination. They will make independent decisions about their creations and be able to positively analyse their work and the work of others. Assessment will have highlighted an individual’s strengths and any improvements, knowledge and skills that still need to be embedded. An enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts and a knowledge of how the work of artists and designers impact on history and culture throughout the world will be of life long benefit for our children.
