The United Curriculum for Art provides all children, regardless of their background with the following principles:
Entitlement
Regardless of their starting point, the curriculum allows pupils to produce creative work, to explore ideas and develop the confidence to excel in a broad range of artistic techniques. All pupils will learn about artists and cultures from across history and across the world.
Coherence
Taking the National Curriculum as its starting point, the curriculum is sequenced so that pupils gradually develop and build their practical knowledge, including the formal elements, the use of a range of materials in two and three dimensions, and the techniques required to produce artwork. Theoretical and disciplinary knowledge is sequenced so that pupils build a deeper understanding across key stages.
Mastery
All pupils will be explicitly taught about the formal elements – colour, form, line, pattern, shape, texture and tone – and other aspects of art knowledge in small steps. Pupils will revisit, develop and apply their skills with increasing technical proficiency.
Representation
The Art curriculum provides children with the opportunity to explore historical and contemporary artists and artworks, who represent their own and others’ cultures, values and beliefs. We will explore the context in which the art was produced, and consider the full breadth of human experience and expression through art.
Education with Character
We aim to build and maintain pupils’ confidence in their ability as artists to create. The curriculum will develop aspects of character such as resilience, confidence and risk taking. Through the curriculum, pupils are given opportunities to share, reflect and learn about each other’s experiences whilst recognising the things we have in common.
Our Art curriculum is also planned in a way that promotes cultural capital. All children will learn the same skills and have the opportunity to realise their talents and develop their character through self-expression, skills crucial beyond their primary years of education. Children will be exposed to a wide range of experiences that will enhance their skills development and provide them with knowledge about a wider range of cultures reflective of their local area. This will be delivered through guest speakers from local artists, visits to local art galleries and visits to other areas within our community and around our community to explore how art is embodied throughout different institutions. Thus, enriching the children’s experience of Art as whole subject. Children will leave Year 6 with a range of skills in drawing, painting, printing, collage, textiles, 3D work and digital art and the ability to explore and evaluate different creative ideas. Children will have developed a love of Art and appreciate its position in society.