‘Think like an artist!‘

‘Every child is an artist’- Pablo Picasso

At St Hedda’s, we want our children to have no limits or barriers  to what their ambitions are and grow up wanting to be an artist, sculptor, printmaker, teacher or work in a gallery.

We want pupils to see themselves as artists.

Our curriculum equips pupils to produce creative work, exploring their ideas and their experiences, become proficient in drawing, painting , sculpture, evaluate and analyse creative works using key vocabulary and know about great artists, craft makers and designers. We believe a high-quality art education will help pupils gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of art forms. It should inspire pupils’ curiosity to know more about art and its historical and cultural development .

Art at St Hedda’s is taught across each mixed age year group through rolling programmes, taught in blocks with each block covering a particular set of artistic disciplines including drawing, painting, printmaking, textiles, 3D and collage. Each block aims to activate and build upon prior learning, from EYFS to Year 6,  and has been interwoven into the curriculum so that key disciplines can be revisited. 

Central to the learning modules are activities designed to develop pupils’ oracy and vocabulary skills to enable them to use artistic language meaningfully when talking about their work and the work of others.

In addition to the the core knowledge to be successful, our children are encouraged to ‘Think like an  Artist’ by focussing their enquiry into one or more of the following within a lesson:

Each module is revisited as part of a spaced retrieval practice method to ensure pupils retain key knowledge and information. Our children become creative artists by meeting the National Curriculum expectations. Children’s knowledge and understanding is continually assessed throughout through questioning and feedback that supports and strengthens understanding

There are two key aspects to learning: 

Substantive knowledge – this is the subject knowledge and vocabulary used to work artistically.

Disciplinary knowledge – this is the use of that knowledge and how children cover a particular set of artistic disciplines, including drawing, painting, printmaking, textiles, 3D and collage. 

The impact of our Art curriculum is that children are equipped with artistic skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the next key stage and for their future life.

• In EYFS, children have the  essential building blocks of art established in readiness for Y1.
• The children understand how to work artistically. They can recall core knowledge required to be successful when drawing, painting, printmaking, using textiles, 3D art  and collage
• They are passionate about art  and its significance today.
• Children can access and follow an ambitious curriculum that has our vision for exceptionally high expectations as a driver.
• Standards of work are strong and consistent throughout school.

Enrichment

To further enhance our art curriculum we offer:

• Children are given the opportunity to explore our unique locality and experience art through nature and form
• Artefacts are brought into school as inspiration for art work
• Celebration of children’s art work at local shows e.g. Egton Show, Eskdale Festival 
• Studies of our local area of Egton Bridge and Whitby 
• Working with local artist and sculptors

Early Years

During the Early Years Foundation Stage, the essential building blocks of children’s art capability are established. Children are encouraged and guided to explore, use and refine a variety of artistic effects to express their ideas and feelings. They are encouraged to develop their motor skills so that they can use a range of tools, materials and techniques competently, safely and confidently. By the end of EYFS, most children are able to: use a range of materials creatively to design and make a product; to use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experience and imagination; to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, lines, shape, form and space. The most relevant early years outcomes for Art are taken from the following areas of learning:  Physical Development  Understanding the World  Expressive Arts and Design.