Aston Fields Middle School
Art & Design
Mission Statement:
'Art has the role in education of helping children become more like themselves instead of more like everyone else', Sydney Gurewitz Clemens
Intent
During art lessons at Aston Fields Middle School, our intent is that all pupils have the opportunity to work within a variety of visual areas: drawing, painting, sculpting, printmaking, mosaic and other art, craft and design techniques. Pupils will develop their critical analysis and evaluation skills of other artists, designers and craft makers whilst also exploring the value of historical and cultural influences. Personal creativity, character and individuality are actively encouraged throughout their experiences in art.
Implementation
Pupils are taught many of their lessons in our purpose built Art and Design block. They have access to a huge variety of resources and mediums and benefit from the teaching of specialist art and design teachers. The curriculum is designed to ensure pupils have a broad and balanced view of art, which stretches far beyond just painting and drawing. The artists studied are selected carefully to allow pupils to explore their passion for the subject and again broaden their horizons and provide a greater cultural understanding of Britain and the rest of the world.
Reading skills are woven throughout the art and design curriculum through; observing whole-class presentations, reading and following instructions, carrying out research on artists and art movements and through analysing their own work and that of their peers and reading evaluations and feedback.
Pupils are consistently encouraged to develop their individual character through working hard, trying their best and through showing grit and determination in seeing artwork through to fruition. They have opportunities to work independently and with others to develop their respect, tolerance and neighbourliness. Pupils are acknowledged and praised for showing and improving these skills both during lessons and on an extra-curricular level.
Careers education is frequently discussed during lessons, referring to jobs and careers where specific art and design skills are used. References are made to display posters and information guides on display within the department block, again highlighting where art and design skills fit into their future lives and the bigger picture. Assemblies and whole-school challenges give additional opportunities for pupils to explore their art and design skills further.
Below is a brief outline of the courses followed in each year.
| Year 5 |
Expressive Arts Pupils take part in an Expressive Arts carousel providing them with the opportunity to work in different mediums such as: textiles, studying Aboriginal art, exploring colour and investigating artists/designers/craftspeople. This carousel builds on their experiences from first school and enables pupils to broaden their understanding of artists, designers and craftspeople. |
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| Year 6 |
Art & Design
During Year 6, pupils research mask making from different artists/designers, cultures and periods. They will analyse shape, design, materials and pattern, building on from their work in year 5. Pupils will develop their analytical skills by identifying similarities between a range of periods and designs. Different mediums will be explored in order to emulate and create a range of different masks. Pupils will have the opportunity to work independently and collaboratively. For their final piece, pupils will produce a mask design of their own with an African influence made using clay. |
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Year 7
Year 8
