Intent

At Petham Primary School our art & design curriculum is designed to engage, inspire and challenge children, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to participate in, experiment with, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design both within and beyond the school walls.  We are committed to giving the children as many real-life, practical, engaging activities from which to secure their understanding of knowledge and skills around art.  In this respect, the children produce pieces of art that are showcased in the local community; design and create products which then meet a purpose in their lives; get the opportunity to meet real life artists and designers and be inspired by them. Our children will be encouraged and empowered to think creatively and critically. They will investigate and evaluate a wide range of creative outcomes from the past and present to develop their understanding of the many disciplines within art, craft and design and how they shape our past and future.  They will be encouraged to explore a range of creative processes using a variety of media, and to think critically about the art which they and others produce. 

The art and design curriculum is built around essential knowledge, understanding and key skills, as well as a focus on inspiring and engaging the children’s interest in a whole range of creative processes.  Our aim is that all pupils are given ample opportunities to 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. 

Our school core values are interwoven through the art and design curriculum.  Our pupils are actively encouraged to demonstrate leadership by having opportunities to share their knowledge and skills with less experienced peers and younger pupils.  Organisation is demonstrated through the expectation that children can select, access and organise their own resources.  The children are encouraged to be resilient and use their initiative by persevering and considering adjusting techniques or using alternative methods if their first attempts do not go to plan.  Children will be able to communicate their ideas and creations through a variety of means including annotating sketchbooks, verbally explaining their work and discussing what they have learnt and produced with others.   

Implementation

Our Art and Design curriculum is built around essential knowledge, understanding and key skills, which are broken into year group expectations and show clear continuity and progress.  To support our understanding and delivery of art and DT, we follow the Kapow scheme of learning which breaks down the curriculum into strands that run throughout the lessons.  

In line with the National Curriculum, we aim 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.

Our children are actively encouraged to develop creatively both within and beyond the confines of the curriculum, and our continual and passionate engagement with The Arts is evidenced in our Silver ArtsMark Award, which underpins the school’s commitment to providing an enriching and inspiring creative experience for all pupils.  

Impact

Every child has a sketchbook which follows their creative journey from Reception to Year 6, and the impact of our art and design curriculum can clearly be seen in these, as well as regularly changed displays in classrooms and around the school environment.  The sketchbooks (and floor books in KS1) show progression across the units and from one year group to another.  The children take pride in their work and there is a high expectation of effort and presentation.  The children are given constant verbal feedback and opportunities to share their learning with others.

In the spring of 2023 we were awarded a Silver Artsmark Award in recognition of the emphasis we place on the value of the arts across our school, both as part of the curriculum and as a large part of the wider opportunities that we offer the children.   Below is the feedback which was received along with our Silver Award: 

Dear Ros Blake,

Petham Primary School
8862026

Thank you for your recent submission, and congratulations on completing your Artsmark journey.

You've achieved an Artsmark Silver Award!

We are delighted to inform you that your setting has been awarded an Artsmark Silver Award. Congratulations!

Your Statement of Commitment and Statement of Impact have been assessed and we’re pleased to share this feedback from our assessors with you:

'Despite some considerable changes in the management across the school and SMT of the MAT, you consider that you have been able to successfully develop a range of arts and cultural activities for pupils. During lockdown pupils were offered alternative formats to continue engaging with the Arts. Performances were filmed and online learning was accessed through a variety of platforms. Since restrictions have been lifted pupils have had the opportunity to perform in concerts and celebrate their work including, Easter art festival and concert, Year 5/6 play, harvest festival, Christmas service, nativity play, Rural Schools concert, and Young Voices at the O2 Arena. It was positive to read about how you have recently begun to build links with other local primary schools, with a view to pooling resources and organising an 'Orchestra Day' for your more competent musicians. Perhaps, learning from this partnership, could be developed into a case study, to advocate for future collaborations. Developing several strands of work across the Arts has encouraged a greater number of parents to come into school, whilst pupils have also been encouraged to contribute artistically to village events. It is good to read about your revamped curriculum and how the Arts have been embedded within the scheme. It will be interesting to hear about how this new curriculum supports pupils learning outcomes over time. You have continued to develop your partnership with your local music hub, and perhaps in the future you might explore how they could further support you in implementing some of the recommendations in the new National Plan for Music Education. Pupil voice is an area you may also wish to develop, perhaps with the support of a named governor who could be responsible for overviewing the development of arts and culture.'

Congratulations on your Artsmark Silver Award!

Your award is valid for two years and will expire on 16/02/2025

Celebrate your success!