Art

We strive to ensure that the content of our curriculum champions diversity and visibility, ensuring all children can see themselves and others reflected back in the art they experience whilst at school.

Therefore, we aim to give all children access to enriching experiences in order to develop their
appreciation of the world around them, including a diverse range of great artists within their differing cultural and historical contexts.

Throughout their time at Portway Junior School, our children will have opportunities to draw, paint, print, make collages, use fabrics and threads as well as mixed media to create sculpture including wire and clay. We value equity for all children, regardless of confidence or background, ensuring they have access to cultural capital including, but not limited to, art clubs, professional visitors and trips to see and participate in art in the wider community. We believe that, ultimately, our integrated approach to the teaching of art supports pupils to develop lively, enquiring minds and encourages them to think critically and creatively about the world we live in.

To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in art and design, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school. Art and design are taught as part of a termly topic, focusing on knowledge and skills stated in the National Curriculum. In the classroom, all children are critical artists, with opportunities to develop their understanding of both art-making and the importance of self-improvement through evaluation. Skills are taught progressively in discrete, focussed lessons, as well as being woven through the wider curriculum.

By the end of each Key Stage, all children can apply and understand the skills, knowledge and
processes they have been taught so that they are proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft, and design techniques. Most importantly, children will leave Portway knowing that it is okay to make mistakes along their journey, they will think for themselves and be critical about their own and other’s work- knowing how they can improve it or knowing when to stop if they are satisfied with their creative work.

Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.

Mary Lou Cook