Art and Design
Intent
At RHS, we believe that every child can be an artist, and believe that artistic talent and expression should be accessible to all. Our Art & Design curriculum allows for the exploration of different artists and designers, as well as art movements across history - from cubism to sculptures to collages. Each lesson allows for meaningful opportunities for self-expression and individual responses are woven through the curriculum, giving children space to learn who they are as an artist.
Implementation
At the beginning of the year, the children will learn about the artist their class is named after and create a piece of artwork reminiscent of the original work. This starts the children’s learning experience in a positive artistic light.
We use Primary Knowledge curriculum and as such, each year group’s yearly plan allows for the building of skills. In Reception, the children learn the basics of portrait, collage and sculpture. By the end of Year 6, these skills will have been developed using different medium types and focus points, with an emphasis on the children’s individual experimentation and creation within each unit.
We explore a broad range of artists from across the world and across time. We are mindful to teach children about many artistic practices and histories, not only the Western tradition, and have added specific units and artists to the curriculum.
For example, Year 5 study art from the Islamic world; African and Chinese art units address the issue of accepted art history narratives, colonization and empire, and the influence of non-Western art on art of the Western world. Women artists have also been consciously included in the curriculum, and in Key Stage 2, there is provision for discussing why women are under-represented in traditional Western art history narratives.
Impact
Children leave RHS with a vast understanding of different types of artists and with experience of each under their belt. They are able to explain their opinions about an artist and their work, as well as speak about their own artistic choices. Art work is displayed and celebrated within the classroom, and used within competitions inside and outside of the school.