Curriculum aims
Learning and undertaking activities in art and design contribute to achievement
of the curriculum aims for all young people to become:
- successful learners who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve
- confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling
lives
- responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society.
The importance of art and design
In art, craft and design, pupils explore visual, tactile and other sensory
experiences to communicate ideas and meanings. They work with traditional
and new media developing confidence, competence, imagination
and creativity (CT focus statement). They learn to appreciate and
value images and artefacts across times and cultures, and to understand
the contexts in which they are made. In art and design, pupils reflect critically
on their own and other people's work, judging quality, value and meaning.
Pupils learn to think and act as artists, designers
and craftspeople (CT focus statement), working creatively and intelligently.
They develop an appreciation of art, craft and design, and its role in the
creative and cultural industries that enriches their lives.
Key concepts
There are a number of key concepts that underpin the study of art and design.
Pupils need to understand these concepts in order to deepen and broaden
their knowledge, skills and understanding.
Cultural understanding
- Through the study of a range of images and artefacts from different
contexts, recognising the varied characteristics of different cultures
and using them to inform creating and making.
- Recognising the role of the artist, craftsperson and designer in a range
of cultures, times and contexts.
Creativity (CT)
- Producing imaginative images, artefacts
and other outcomes that are both personal and of value (CT focus statement).
- Exploring and experimenting with ideas,
materials, tools and techniques (CT 1 and 6 explore possibilities and
adapt ideas as circumstances change).
- Taking risks and learning from mistakes.
Competence
- Investigating, analysing, designing, making, reflecting and evaluating.
- Making informed choices about media, techniques and processes.
Critical understanding
- Exploring visual, tactile and other sensory qualities.
- Engaging with ideas, images and artefacts, identifying values and meanings.
- Developing own views and expressing reasoned judgements.
- Using analytical, reflective approaches that take account of diverse
contexts.
Key processes
These are the essential skills and processes in art and design that pupils
need to learn to make progress.
Explore and create (CT focus statement)
Pupils should be able to:
- work from first-hand observation, experience,
inspiration, imagination and other sources (CT 1 generate ideas and explore
possibilities; CT3 connect their own and others' ideas and experiences
in inventive ways)
- investigate how to express and realise ideas
using formal elements and the qualities of a range of media (CT 1 generate
ideas and explore possibilities; CT5 try out alternatives or new solutions
and follow ideas through)
- make purposeful images and artefacts (CT 5 try out alternatives or new solutions and follow ideas through), selecting from a range of materials,
techniques and processes
- draw creatively(CT 5 try out alternatives
or new solutions and follow ideas through) to support perception,
communication and invention
- explore and develop ideas using sketchbooks, journals and other appropriate
strategies.
Understand and evaluate
Pupils should be able to:
- use research and investigative skills appropriate to art and design
- appreciate how codes and conventions are used to convey ideas and meanings
in and between different cultures and contexts
- evaluate their own and others' work
- analyse, select and question critically, making reasoned choices in
developing personal work
- develop ideas and intentions(CT 5 ...follow
ideas through) when creating images and artefacts
- adapt and refine images and artefacts (CT
6 adapt ideas as circumstances change)
- organise and present their own material and information.
Range and content
This section outlines the breadth of the subject on which teachers should
draw when teaching the key concepts and key processes.
The study of art and design should include:
- work in, and across, the areas of fine art, design and crafts, including
both applied and fine art practices
- work in 2D, 3D and new technologies
- study of a range of artefacts from contemporary, historical, personal
and cultural contexts.
Curriculum opportunities
During the key stage pupils should be offered the following opportunities
that are integral to their learning and enhance their engagement with the
concepts, processes and content of the subject.
The curriculum should provide opportunities for pupils to:
- work collaboratively, taking different roles in teams
- respond to the school's location and local cultural influences
- work with contemporary art, craft and design and creative individuals,
and in creative environments, where possible
- work with a variety of genres, including contemporary practice
- engage in interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary practice within the
arts
- make links between art and design and other
subjects and areas of the curriculum (CT3 connect their own and others'
ideas and experiences in inventive ways).