Art Policy – All Saints Primary School
Introduction
This policy has been established to address the art curriculum at All Saints Primary school
throughout all phases. Here at All Saints we value art as a means of expression, exploration
and cultural growth. It offers pupils the opportunity to explore their imagination, see the world
in a different way, take control and make decisions and share this experience with others.
We hope to equip our pupils with not only the skills but the willingness to explore and push
an idea to a new direction therefore building confidence in our children.
Aims







Pupils engage with a variety of art techniques, skills and materials to produce artwork
in a range of media
Developing the ability to create, appreciate and make critical judgements about
artworks
Encouraging pupils to work independently and in teams, to share arts experiences
and present artworks to others
Developing an understanding of the role of art in society and the world around us
Pupils that are able to evaluate, reflect and refine their work and the work of others.
Pupils that are enthusiastic about art and the creativity it allows
Encourage teachers in their role in the art curriculum providing opportunities for them
to explore the curriculum, take part in activities and develop their own creativity.
How we aim to achieve them










Provide a varied art curriculum with quality, range and depth
Provide opportunities for cross curricular work
Provide opportunities for pupils to learn about the art of other cultures, artists and
periods in time
Provide opportunities to develop self-esteem and confidence
Give pupils opportunities to create completed artworks in a variety of art forms using
a range of tools, materials and skills.
Ensure that teachers have access to on-going professional development
Ensure all teachers and pupils have access to a range of quality, resources, tools
and materials
All pupils have access to at least one hour a week out of school arts activity
Provide pupils with the opportunity to present their work to the community once a
year in a school exhibit.
Take pupils to see the artwork of others
Teaching and Learning
The subject is taught through skill based study and exploration. Pupils are taught a range of
skills from a variety of art techniques. Pupils work from experience and a range of primary
and secondary sources included artists study. In KS2 this is collated in a sketchbook
allowing pupils to reflect and evaluate. Pupils are taught in pairs, individual and group based
work creating a shared experience. Our aim is to develop pupils knowledge, skills and
understanding of the subject and its role.
Inclusion and differentiation
The art curriculum is concerned with the learning and participation of all students no matter
what their ability. Pupils are taught in small groups allowing for one to one support by a
teacher or peer support by pupils. The teacher is able to make continual assessments of
pupils ability and therefore plan tasks accordingly. Differentiation is through outcome, all
pupils work towards the same objective however the level of support is varied through
access to supporting resources and materials that can be matched to suit individual or group
needs, enabling all pupils to develop their skills and understanding. The objective can be
extended through open ended tasks to give pupils freedom of choice and independence to
add extra challenge for pupils skilled in this subject.
What art looks like at:
Foundation stage
Pupils use art to explore fine and gross motor skills, colour, shape and movement. This
provides opportunity to develop their imagination and observation skills. Developing these
motor skills here are key to the art techniques taught in the curriculum.
Key Stage one
Pupils are taught to apply simple art skills from a range of techniques. Pupils are beginning
to make choices about their artwork selecting colour, materials and tools to use. They
explore direct observation as well as imagination. Pupils also express their feelings
about their work and the work of others.
Key stage two
Pupils are taught finer skills from a range of art techniques. Pupils are given time to explore
and study the technique in their sketchbook. Pupils work from a variety of sources including
direct observation, experience and imagination. Here pupils are encouraged to be reflective
about their work and the work of others using key evaluative skill important in this subject.
They should also improve their critical awareness and explore the purpose of art, craft and
design in different cultures and religions. Pupils become independent in selecting tools,
materials and in UKS2 the skills to apply to create their artwork.
Cross curricular links
It is important to us that our pupils are involved in art throughout the curriculum in our school.
Pupils have the opportunity to study art in a range of subjects.
English
Art can be linked with English in regards to speaking and listening as the children have to be
able to listen and answer questions from other students as well as be able to join in group
discussions. But the links with English are not just restricted to the essential skills of
communication. They are directly linked in the expression of the visual world found in fiction.
Poetry, stories and imaginative writing may be used as a stimulus for creative response in
art. Similarly art may inspire creative writing or poetry. Art is a form of communication which
doesn’t require words, but to share our feelings about art, we have to verbally express them.
Maths
There are cross-curricular links to be made between art and maths as the children describe
shapes, measure and draw, often using rulers, protractors and compasses. Art is also linked
to maths in relation to understanding and recognizing symmetry. Skills in tracing may be
used in both Art and Maths at times. At KS2, children explore rotation reflection and
translation and learn more about 2 and 3D shapes.
Science
Art can be linked to Science in a number of ways. Through nature, the physics of materials
and objects, the colour spectrum, its relation to the body and physical movement, the list is
endless.
Topic
The art curriculum is linked to our schools topic themes. The topic curriculum map can be
seen below. This means that pupils interact with the subjects of history and geography
during their art lessons as a stimulus. Pupils will spend time relating to the topic through art.
Year group
Year 1&2
Year 3&4
Year 5&6
Autumn
Spring
Summer
Homes
Cadbury
Toys
Famous names
Castles
Holiday/Leisure
Ancient Egypt
Ice worlds
Tudors
India
World war two
Heroes and Villains
Ancient Greeks
Mountains and valleys
Icons
The Victorians
Our surroundings
Olympics/World Cup
Cycle one
Cycle two
ICT
Art can be linked to ICT as the children use various art software programs on computers.
They may also use computer search engines such as Google Images to research and learn
more about subjects that they are studying in Art.
At key stage 2 children use computers even more, and may have access to digital cameras
and learn how to upload pictures and manipulate them, which links Art to ICT even more
strongly. They can also be encouraged to watch films and television with an awareness of
the images.
Physical Education
In all key stages physical education can also be a stimulus to inspire artwork. In particular
the study of movement. The majority of art skills are linked to movement and control.
Teaching fine control of movement in physical education can improve this in art. Pupils can
also use the movements as a stimulus repeating the movements in their artwork. Pupils
could link a series of movements to create repetitive pattern also seen in artwork.
Music
Children are encouraged to study the work and ideas of different artists from KS1 upwards
and some of these artists have been fascinated by the links between art and music and
using music as a stimulus. An example of this is the artist Kandinsky who explored music as
his source of inspiration. Many more examples of artists who make powerful cross-curricular
links in their work can be found. Pupils could also explore dance as a stimulus linking this
with the movement of materials and control of tools.
PSHE
Art allows for freedom of expression. It allows pupils to develop confidence and self-esteem.
It also develops pupil’s decision making and reasoning as pupils select a tool, colour and
express why they have applied this. Art allows for group work and shared experiences also
important in improving pupils understanding of each other.
Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development
During all key stages children are to develop their creativity and imagination. This links with
the concept of ‘Who am I?’ and our individual uniqueness, which is a central concept
explored in Religious Education.
Another link to RE is made when children explore the ways in which religions express
meaning through art, or study past cultures and see what kind of art they created and
consider the way that the religion of those peoples may have inspired or informed their art.
Outdoor learning
Pupils have access to an outdoor learning area at this school. We pride ourselves on using
this as a beneficial experience and stimulus throughout our curriculum. The forest school
provides pupils with natural colour, light, textures, material and sensory exploration important
in immersing pupils in their subject.
Planning
At All Saints we use a topic led curriculum. Art is taught alongside each topic. The skills are
taught separately however the subject of the artwork links back to the topic. There is whole
school planning available on the resources drive which provides skills, resources, topic and
artist links.
Assessment
Throughout art lessons pupils receive verbal feedback and encouragement and advice.
Pupils also self-assess their work through an evaluation, this follows each project. This
allows pupils to reflect on the skills they have learned and applied and set their selves
targets for their next piece of artwork. The sketchbooks provide evidence for the termly
assessment grid which can be found on the assessment drive. This assesses pupils against
skill sets for each area of art. It also assesses their critical thinking and level of
independence in applying skills. This then informs future planning identifying gaps or
opportunities to extend pupils knowledge.
Monitoring and Evaluation
The art subject leader is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the progress of all pupils
in this subject. This is done through; assessment overviews, work trawls, planning scrutinise,
lesson observations, staff discussions, audits of resources and termly Art impact statements.
Overall Impact
By embedding this policy in our school we are encouraging our pupils to be…






Forward thinking
Explorers
Creative
Adaptive
Critical
Reflective
Policy Links




D&T Policy
Display policy
Music Policy
ICT Policy
Date:February 2013
Review Date:February 2014