At Campsbourne we teach the National Curriculum for Art which can be found here.

We believe that art is about more than being able to paint a picture or create a sculpture; it is about understanding the world around us and our place in it. During art lessons we are teaching our children to explore their understanding of the world and to express that through their art work using a range of materials. They also learn about a number of significant artists, their work and what it tells us about their view of the world when they were alive.

Our Art Curriculum has been designed to incorporate British Art History, the world class Galleries in London and to build on previous learning in other curriculum areas, most notably Humanities and RE. Our class names have been chosen to reflect British Art History. They have been carefully selected to ensure there is equal representation of male and female artists and of artists from different cultural backgrounds. Each class learns about the artists from both classes in their year group.

You can view the art curriculum clicking using the following link.

Art Curriculum Map

Art Units

Art Units include the following elements

Introduce Significant Artist

At the start of a unit children are introduced to the artist they are learning about and from. They will ask questions about the artist such as:

• What was their place in the world?
• What were they influenced by e.g. what were social influences?
• Which artists influenced them?
• Who did they influence?

Investigation

During the investigation stage the children learn about the techniques the artist used. They investigate materials used in the artists’ work and the different ways they can be used.

Experimentation

In the experimentation stage the children practise ideas and techniques. For example children may experiment with the marks you can make with charcoal; mixing colours when painting or the different effects of different types of paint.

Copy of Artists Work

Children look closely at paintings asking questions such as what does it look like, why does it look like the way it does etc. Children then create copies of an artists work practising the techniques they have learnt.

Original Piece

Children finally create their own unique piece of art work using the techniques and styles they have learnt. Children reflect on their work asking questions such as:

• What do I like?
• What would I like to improve?
• How could I make those improvements?
• How does it relate to the artist we have been studying?

Assessment

Children’s progress is assessed by the teacher. At the end of each unit teachers assess whether a child has met or exceeded the objectives. The following document outlines the progression of skills as children move through the curriculum.

Progression of Skills and Knowledge in Art