Art and Design
At Monkspath School, our art and design curriculum nurtures creativity, imagination, and self-expression. We aim to provide all pupils with the opportunity to explore a wide range of artistic techniques and media, while developing their appreciation of art across cultures and time periods. Our curriculum follows the National Curriculum for Art and Design at Key Stages 1 and 2.
What We Teach
Our curriculum enables children to:
- Produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences.
- Become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art, craft, and design techniques.
- Evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art and design.
- Learn about great artists, designers, and architects, and understand how art reflects and shapes history and culture.
We ensure progression in both skills and knowledge, allowing children to revisit and refine techniques as they move through the school.
How We Teach
Art is taught through:
- Lessons that are practical, exploratory, and skills-based.
- The use of sketchbooks to develop ideas, practise techniques, and reflect on progress.
- Cross-curricular links.
Children are encouraged to experiment, take creative risks, and express their individuality. We also provide enrichment opportunities such as whole-school art projects, gallery visits, and artist workshops.
What Children Learn and How We Assess
Children develop confidence in using a variety of materials and techniques. They learn to:
- Reflect on their own work and that of others.
- Use artistic vocabulary to describe and evaluate.
- Understand the cultural and historical significance of art.
Assessment is ongoing and includes:
- Observation and discussion during lessons.
- Review of sketchbooks and final pieces.
- Reviews of learning and knowledge checks, for example through PoP tasks.
- Pupil voice and self-assessment to reflect on learning and progress.
This ensures that all pupils are developing secure artistic knowledge and skills and are well-prepared for future creative learning.