Willerby Carr Lane Primary School
Overarching Arts
POLICY 2008
Why have an overarching policy for the arts?
This policy has been put in place to demonstrate this school’s commitment to the arts, and to
show how we intend to fulfil this commitment. This policy will ensure that the arts provision
in our school is embedded in our whole school ethos and also into our planning. Thought has
been given to the budget implications of such a commitment, and details of this are outlined.
It ensures that the allocation of resources is sufficient to fulfil our planning. Also outlined are
the approaches we take to sharing and celebrating our pupils’ achievements in the arts, and
our aims and objectives in providing an ‘arts rich’ environment.
The Arts – how do we understand this as a school?
By “The ARTS” we mean the visual arts – painting, drawing, sculpture, craft and design; the
performing arts - music, dance, drama, storytelling; Literature – poetry, fiction and nonfiction; and media and multimedia – photography and digital art.
Why do we provide arts teaching in our school? Our Mission Statement
At Carr Lane Primary School we believe that children learn best when they are excited and
engaged. As well as providing the essential tools for learning, primary education is about
children experiencing the joy of discovery, solving problems and being creative.
Through good arts provision we believe that children develop self-confidence as learners,
developing maturity both socially and emotionally.
Children should be engaged by learning experiences that develop and stretch them, exciting
their imagination. They should have access to a rich, varied and stimulating environment and
curriculum, and be inspired by enthusiastic, knowledgeable and skilled individuals.
By putting policy into practice, we offer our pupils a broad, exciting arts rich curriculum that is
by no means incidental. The school has taken part in the authority’s own Creative Contexts
for Learning initiative – a project that aims to bring children and the arts into close working
proximity. Through careful planning we have firmly embedded the principles of this project
Willerby Carr Lane Primary School
into our curriculum. Links have been made between different subject areas and the school
takes part in whole school thematic approaches. A long-term plan has been put into place to
ensure pupils have access to professional artists from a range of disciplines. Budgets are
allocated and we are fortunate enough to have the full support of parents, who often make
voluntary contributions to our projects, and the PFA who subsidise events at the school. A
whole school understanding of the importance of quality arts teaching is the key behind our
success.
Key Aims
1. To engage our pupils with a variety of art forms, to explore values, attitudes, feelings
and meanings.
2. To develop the ability to create, appreciate and make critical judgements about
artworks.
3. To encourage pupils to work independently and in groups, to share arts experiences
and present artworks to others.
4. To develop an understanding of the role of the arts in society, including as a career.
5. To increase active and independent involvement in cultural activities
Objectives
To engage our pupils with a variety of art forms, to explore values, attitudes,
feelings and meanings
We will: provide a well-planned arts curriculum of quality, range and depth.
Provide opportunities for cross - curricular work.
Provide opportunities for pupils to learn about the arts of diverse cultures.
Provide opportunities to develop self-esteem, confidence and maturity through participation
in the arts.
Ensure that teachers have access to regular continuing professional development that
refreshes their creativity and keeps them up to date with developments in the arts.
To develop the ability to create, appreciate and make critical judgements about
artworks
We will: give all pupils opportunities to design and complete artworks in a range of art forms.
To encourage pupils to work independently and in groups, to share arts
experiences and present artworks to others
We will: give all pupils an opportunity to exhibit work and take part in performances.
Present arts work to parents and the community at least once a year.
To develop an understanding of the role of the arts in society, including as a
career
We will: offer pupils an opportunity to work alongside a professional artist at least once a
year.
To increase active and independent involvement in cultural activities
We will: take pupils to see work exhibited and performed by professional artists.
Willerby Carr Lane Primary School
687319760
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Time Allocated to the Arts
At present, our pupils have access to at least 4 hours of arts based teaching a week, which
includes art and design, music, dance and drama. In addition to this, the school holds an
arts week, visits out to The Ferens Art Gallery and The Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Visits by
professionals are also in addition to the allocated time. There is some provision for out of
hours activities, although this is currently being developed.
The Range of Experiences Offered
We aim to offer a wide range of experiences for our pupils. Past experiences have included
songwriters, storytellers, poetry workshops, sculptors, dance companies, theatre companies,
circus skills, drama workshops and performance poets. These visits are planned to enhance
the curriculum, and some as one off experiences for the pupils. A long-term plan is in place
to ensure that artists are booked well in advance, and that the cost implications can be met.
Professional Skills, Knowledge and Development.
There is a sound structure of professional development in place. Individuals going out on
courses always feed back to staff, either in staff meetings or by holding workshops. The Arts
co-ordinator regularly provides INSET for the staff, and monitors its impact.
Budget Implications
The school will set aside a specific budget for providing and arts rich experiences for our
pupils. In the time we have taken part in the county’s initiative “Creative Contexts for
Learning”, this budget has been match funded. Parents often make voluntary contributions
to particular projects.
Celebrating Success and Achievements
The school will hold an arts week once a year, during which parents and members of the
community are invited to an art exhibition and to workshops, where they can take part in arts
activities themselves. The school often features in the local press, which helps to raise the
profile of the arts. We supply artwork for some local businesses and community events. All
pupils take part in one major production per year, and also perform their own assemblies to
an audience.
Further Points to Note:
This policy links together the separate curriculum policies for art, craft and design and music,
elements of the P.E policy and the literacy policy.
This policy has been approved by the governors of Willerby Carr Lane
Primary.
Signed:
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date:
Willerby Carr Lane Primary School
687319760
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