Art

Purpose and Aims

At NET Academies, our art curriculum, seeks to combine the acquisition of progressive key practical skills alongside the development and understanding of critical creative thinking, and a contextual element of significant and inspirational Artworks, Artists, Movements and Genres. 

These contextual references will combine examples from both the world of British and International art and design, and diverse cultural references.

Each project undertaken will have opportunities for independent creative thinking, critical problem solving and cross curricular links. Our young artists will learn the importance and application of the foundation elements and principles of the arts and craft:

• Form;
• Pattern;
• Shape;
• Tone;
• Texture;
• Colour.

They will experiment with and develop mastery in the key processes of art; Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, 3d Design and Textiles.

Pupils will experiment with an extensive range of both traditional and innovative/alternative materials to produce personal creative responses to a range of stimuli. They will enjoy both collaborative and independent success and will participate in community-based projects that have a wider impact than their immediate locality. Skills and experience gained in the educational setting will inspire independent exploration and development outside of the classroom. Pupils will develop the skills to apply creativity in many cross curricular contexts and settings.

By the end of Key Stage 2 NET pupils will have undertaken a significant range of creative experiences and will have the practical skills and creative confidence to embark on the next stage of their creative journey.

Based on the National Curriculum, the intent for both key stages 1 and 2 are as follows:

• - to use a range of materials creatively to design and make products 
• - to use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination 
• - to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space 
• - about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing the differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making links to their own work. 

Pupils should be taught:

• - to create sketch books to record their observations and use them to review and revisit ideas 
• - to improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials [for example, pencil, charcoal, paint, clay] 
• - about great artists, architects and designers in history

Organisation of the Curriculum

There are 3 units per year for Years 1 to 6.
The focus in EYFS is the exploration and experimentation with a wide range of exciting and interesting materials to support children’s imaginative and creative responses. This will be facilitated in the EYFS setting, as well as during specialist lessons which introduce the children to more complex media, with the aim to ignite their curiosity further and support how they interact with creative mediums.   
The Art, Craft and Design Curriculum will be taught alternating half terms by an Art Specialist Teacher.

Planning and Assessment

Planning is progressive across the year groups and to support long term memory skill domains are consistent and revisited throughout each key stage and each unit has learning questions. These learning questions follows the art specific sequence…

Knowledge Organisers