Leadership of Art and Design at Westwood Primary School.

Accountable: Miss Sophie Clark, Mrs Hannah Gee

Responsible: Miss Melissa Thacker

At Westwood we are guided by the National Curriculum for Art (2014). 

The national curriculum for art and design aims to ensure that all pupils:  

• produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences
• become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques
• evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design
• know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art form

Curriculum Implementation

At Westwood and Grove, Art and Design is a fundamental part of teaching and learning and is taught from EYFS to Year 6.

Children in the Early Years are encouraged to explore and use a range of media and materials whilst also developing their creativity, imagination and critical thinking. This is the foundation on which learning is developed throughout the school.

We use an Art scheme of work to support our planning and teaching of Art in years 1-6. The Suffolk Art Scheme alongside the National Curriculum ensures a well-structured progression of arts knowledge and skills throughout the school.

Art is taught on a half termly basis which alternates with DT. In addition to art lessons, children are also given the opportunity to develop and apply their art knowledge and skills during Woodland sessions.

Curriculum Impact

Our vision is to foster in children a love of Art and develop creativity. Pupil voice is an important part of our assessment allowing us to continually reflect upon our Arts curriculum and our offer of extra-curricular activities.

Formative assessment is used to move children’s learning forward in Art and to inform next steps. Summative assessments take place on a termly basis and attainment is tracked against National Curriculum expectations. This allows us to inform and address any trends or gaps in attainment.

Children in the Early Years are assessed using EExAT monthly milestones for Expressive Art and Design.  

Art at Home

Art can be found all around you. Look for shapes, patterns and colours in your garden or your home.

• The Beach is a great place to see natural art forms. Can you create a masterpiece using sand, shells and stones? 3D artist Andy Goldsworthy worked in this way.

• Ferini Art Gallery Lowestoft https://www.pakefieldartgallery.com/

• Sainsbury Centre Norwich – free admission https://sainsburycentre.ac.uk/

Activities at home…

• Junk modelling – create a 3D piece of art using recyclable materials.
• Sketching, painting and colouring.
• Go in the garden and create a natural paintbrush to mark make with. You can use water or mud instead of paint.
• Take rubbings from trees and plants in your garden.
• Research a famous artist and create a masterpiece inspired by their style (Jackson Pollock, Van Gogh, Picasso, Andy Warhol)
• Vegetable printing.
• Make your very own play dough!

Recipe - https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/playdough-recipe