Art and Design
Art is taught regularly across all key stages and is personalised to suit need. Pupils are given the opportunity to explore and develop their skills in using a range of media including textiles, painting, printing and sculpture. It is taught as a subject in its own right and, at times, as a therapeutic activity for some children.
The aims of the National Curriculum are 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 forms
Intent
We intend to offer guided support for children to explore and express themselves through art and craft. It can act as a means to distract and engage children when having difficult treatment and sometimes for those admitted for poor mental health reasons. It is as such used at times as a therapeutic tool as well being part of the curriculum.
Implementation
Art is used widely across all three settings. It is a well- resourced area of the curriculum and pupils are often able to select topics and activities of interest. When possible, we invite local crafts people to engage with students and share their skills. Liaison with the pupil’s ‘home school’ will occur where a student is studying for GCSE.
Pupils work is displayed around the school and within termly newsletters.
Impact
It is evident through feedback from questionnaires that engagement with arts and crafts activities has a beneficial effect in terms of distraction, raising mood and pupil self-expression. Pupils will often be more willing to engage socially when carrying out such activities, and it can be a gentle and pressure-free way to build a trusted relationship with teachers. It gives pupils a sense of pride and achievement when work is created and displayed.
