Expressive Arts

Giving our children the best possible start in life.

In the Expressive Arts Area of Learning and Experience, five disciplines are developed:  We will provide our learners with ample opportunities to develop their skills in the following areas with the belief that every learner has the potential to be creative through the disciplines of:

1. Art

2. Dance

3. Drama

4. Film and digital media

5. Music

At Twynyrodyn Community School, we aim to make the expressive arts accessible to all learners and, through an inclusive and engaging approach, expand the horizons of every learner. Experiencing the expressive arts can engage learners physically, socially and emotionally, nurturing their well-being, self-esteem and resilience.  We hope to both inspire their own creativity and talents, and instil within them an appreciation for the creativity and talent of others and a self confidence to express themselves creatively and to develop these skills individually.  Whether as creators or as audience, through engaging with the expressive arts, learners can gain an understanding and an appreciation of cultures and societies in Wales and in the world to develop a sense of belonging within our school community.

The four purposes are at the heart of our Expressive Arts curriculum. They are the starting point for all decisions on the content and experiences developed as part of our provision to support our children to be:

• ambitious capable learners ready to learn throughout their lives.

• enterprising, creative contributors, ready to play a full part in life and work

• ethical, informed citizens of Wales and the world

• healthy, confident individuals, ready to lead fulfilling lives as valued members of society.

The Expressive Arts in Twynyrodyn Community school will be accessed holistically through projects and calendar events.  Children will be given the opportunity to perform in local  and national events to showcase their talent, such as concerts and Eisteddfods.

Across the school teachers will use careful planning from skills and knowledge progressions to deliver expressive arts through projects, which encourage the use of experts from within the community and beyond to enhance learning and to help to teach them skills required to be an appreciative audience.

In the Foundation phase children will also access Expressive Arts though quality continuous provision, planned for and modelled by an adult before children become independent in their expressive learning in the classroom.

The children will be given opportunities to practice and refine their developing expressive arts skills before showcasing their talents, with the understanding that the process is just as valuable as the final product.

Our children are developing an appreciation of the Arts and expanding their knowledge of the different forms art can take.

Their participation is becoming more enthusiastic and skills are improving through an ethos of ‘taking the steps’ to build to final compositions.