Art Curriculum Statement

Intent

Pupils at Leigh Academy Cherry Orchard progress through learning, with the ability to be able to think, express and problem solve, creatively. Using a cycle of research, expression, experimentation and evaluation, we are able to ensure a full rounded experience of learning for our children. Ensuring that all of our learners are able to grasp key vocabulary and link it to their learning is key, which is why we have our learning journey displayed in class, so that learners are able to make connections, not only with the key vocabulary taught, but how their learning links together. Through our use of the IB framework, and progression of skills throughout the key stages, our children are enabled with the knowledge and skills, to be able to develop further, as they prepare for life beyond Leigh Academy Cherry Orchard. We enable our learners to be equipped with all of the resources they need, to be able to create, and learn independently, within this creative subject, allowing space for exploration, and experimentation. Encouraging our learners to inquire and investigate the materials, and resources being given to them. 

Implementation

As pupils progress, they should be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design. We base all projects on an artist, and encourage the children to use their research to explore and express themselves, using the artist as a base in their journey. We ensure the impact of our learning is monitored, and use a variety of ways to assess, and reflect with our learners. To monitor development, and learning subject leaders, assess books and monitor progress that is being made. At Leigh Academy Cherry Orchard, we also use milestone tasks, as a benchmark, to assess and see what they have learnt about their topic throughout the term,as well as monitoring the learning journeys being displayed in class, and importantly monitoring students' engagement with their topic of learning. We also ensure our artistic exploration is recorded and laid out clearly in sketchbooks, so each in-depth look into an artist is clearly shown, with a progression of skills clearly pinpointed for each one to show a lasting development throughout each year group. Children will repeatedly revisit skills in each year, with a deepening of understanding and mastery each time. By the end of their primary journey, they should have a well-rounded, diverse and adaptable bank of skills they can apply across their lives as well as the curriculum. Lastly, using our pupil voice is a way to allow our learners to be heard, and to allow space for development from them, as well as making sure that their knowledge has been secured. With these techniques in place, learners should know how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of their world globally.

Impact 

With the same set of skills revisited and developed throughout each year at Cherry Orchard, we aim for each student to have a rich bank of skills and techniques that they can apply across their artistic journey, and allow them to confidently bring them into their secondary life. Not only will the children be able to apply and adapt these skills across their future curriculums, but they will also have a mastery in artistic understanding, seeing the meaning and intent behind various influential artists’ work, and be able to explain and express their own take on these works as a critical viewer and someone who can engage in an artistic process.