Purpose of study

Art, craft and design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. A high-quality art and design education should engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. As pupils progress, they should be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design. They should also know how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation.

The art curriculum at Bentfield takes account of all abilities, aptitudes and physical, emotional and intellectual development. Through art and design, the children learn a range of skills, concepts, attitudes, techniques and methods of working. The purpose of art and design education is to give pupils the opportunity to express their responses to ideas and experiences in a visual or tactile form. It fires their imagination and is a fundamental means of personal expression.  Whilst it is essentially a practical subject, art will provide time for reflection and, with increasing sensitivity, pupils will acquire the ability to make informed, critical responses of their own work and that of others. There is great pleasure to be derived from art and design and, through deeper understanding, pupils can gain access to cultural richness and diversity. The appreciation and enjoyment of the visual arts enriches all our lives.

Aims

The school art and design curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils:

• 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, craft and design
• know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms

Organisation

• Although our art curriculum is arranged into different areas of learning there will be no set order in which these need to be completed, and in many cases there will be an overlap, for example a project or task may include drawing and sculpture.
• Although there will be some stand-alone art lessons, this subject will be embedded in the wider curriculum as much as possible. Broader topic areas will allow pupils to encounter the skills, concepts and knowledge highlighted in this document. On many occasions the skills and knowledge highlighted in each year group will also be addressed through the Design Technology curriculum. 
• Although famous artists, architects and designers have been given for some areas, these are only suggestions, and alternatives may be decided upon to aid cross-curricular planning.

For further information, including the skills, knowledge and areas of study for KS1 and KS2, please see our school's curriculum overview document below: