Art and Design and Technology Aims:

At St Catherine’s we believe that Art and Design plays an important part in enriching the lives of our children so that they may live their lives in its fullness. Through our teaching of art topics we open our children's eyes to the beauty of the world, inspire awe and wonder and develop an appreciation of diversity. Children are encouraged to express themselves creatively and spiritually by reflecting and responding through different media. We aim to provide an Art and DT curriculum that will provide our children with knowledge about a range of artists, understanding about different techniques and the opportunity to develop their own artistic skills.

Objectives:

• Children will have the opportunity to investigate, research and make Art and DT projects.
• Children will develop their own artistic skills by learning different techniques and evaluating their own art.
• Children will develop technical vocabulary and ask appropriate questions.
• Children will engage with art created by a diverse range of artists.

At St Catherine’s:

• Teachers plan their art and design lessons using the curriculum overviews which have been specifically designed for each year group using guidance from the National Curriculum.
• Art and DT is taught with a cross curricula approach where possible to enrich topic based learning.
• Children are given regular opportunities to research, design, create and evaluate using practical methods.
• Children have access to a range of media when creating their own pieces of art.
• Children have opportunities to learn about artists from different backgrounds, race, gender and ability who create art in a range of styles and with different techniques.
• Children have sketchbooks from Year 1 to Year 6 which provide evidence of individual progress across the year groups and the opportunity to reflect on previous learning.
• Children have the opportunity to learn how to use tools safely.
• In EYFS children are introduced to woodwork tools with designated areas, as well as creating 3D models, exploring collage and painting techniques.
• In EYFS children use art as a medium to express feelings and emotions, movements and sound.

Equal opportunities:

Making art is a way to communicate and respond to experience. Every child’s response is unique and activities in art are planned which allow pupils to respond according to their abilities, with appropriate differentiation by support, resources and outcome. Teachers will provide instruction and guidance on technical processes to take account of individual needs. In line with the school’s equal opportunities policy, all children will have an entitlement to all aspects of the art curriculum.

Health and Safety:

All pupils will be taught to use materials, tools and techniques for practical work safely and in accordance with health and safety requirements. All adults working with pupils in art will be made aware of the health and issues. The school may decide that it will make its own specific ruling on the use of certain tools or processes.

The school will make a risk assessment of using saws and advise on the way they may be used to make art. Pupils need to be shown how to use tools safely to construct with wood to make sculptures. This should be with adult supervision and in line with the Schools Health and Safety Policy.

Assessment:

At St Catherine’s, children are assessed using the school’s system Flic, which has been adapted from the National Curriculum. Age-related expectations are met when a child has achieved the statements from their year group. Development Matters is used as a tool to assess the attainment of children in EYFS in the areas of Expressive Arts and Design and Physical Development.