Art
Drawing plays an important role in helping children to learn to look more closely, in creative thinking, in developing the use of their senses and independence, in encouraging experimentation and in the exploration of ideas, thoughts and feelings. From an early age children draw for the sheer joy of doing so. Art enables them to communicate without words and to give meaning to their experiences.
Our Art Curriculum
The skills learnt in Art are important to a child's overall development, providing unique ways of engaging in the world we live in. They develop a visual language to experience and understand spiritual, moral and cultural issues; thinking and problem solving skills; social and communication skills and opportunities to express and understand emotion.
In addition, the opportunities and experiences offered by the Department aim to foster and develop:
- The enjoyment and wonder in creating art
- To encourage and develop self-confidence in their creative ability
- Experimenting and mastering techniques
- Awareness of the environment through observation and reflection upon those observations
- Awareness and respect for others through evaluating their own and others work, to share ideas and to listen carefully to others
- Creativity, imagination and originality of thought and expression
- Independence, group work and co-operation
- Cross curricular projects with all subject areas
- Historical and cultural links
- The ability to communicate through the use of the formal elements of visual language
From Year 3 to Year 8, pupils are taught by a specialist art teacher who encourages pupils to develop their artistic skills and to express themselves in a variety of media. There are regular art displays throughout the school, which celebrate artistic talent and encourage pupils to feel proud of their work. Pupils learn and develop skills in:
- Drawing and Painting: pencil, pen and ink, charcoal, ready mix paints, acrylic paint, oil paint, pastel, watercolour, glass painting, collage, mixed-media
- Ceramics: slab-building, hand building, tiles, sculptural forms, relief sculpture
- Textiles: batik painting, felt making, silk painting
- Printmaking: lino, mono-printing
- Sculpture: mixed media, wire structures, clay forms, plaster
- ICT Art based software
Facilities
Pupils are taught in a purpose-built environment which includes a kiln and ceramic facilities. The spacious facilities enable pupils to produce large-scale work in two and three-dimensions.
Extra-Curricular
We offer a variety of activities aimed at encouraging pupils to further their skills. These include:
- Year 8 Scholarship Group
- Year 5, 6 & 7 Extra Art Club
- Junior Art Club
- Dough Modelling
- Warhammer Club
Artist-in-Residence: The Department also welcomes regular artist-in-residences where artists work directly with our pupils.
Extended Learning: Galleries are often visited both locally and nationally, to learn about and to be inspired by other artists’ work.
Cross-Curricular: Links are made throughout all Year groups and subjects, encouraging pupils to combine their visual skills with their knowledge and understanding.
Cultural Links: Each year group will experience the arts and crafts of different cultures as part of their art curriculum.
Community Links: Strong links with the community include making artwork for the annual Cricklade Festival and St Sampson’s Christmas Tree Festival.
Art Scholarships: Pupils who show interest and promise in Art are encouraged to become a member of our Extra Art Club. This may then progress over time into being part of the Year 8 Potential Scholarship Group. From this group, pupils work towards an art scholarship application to a variety of schools. Some pupils, as early as Year 5, can be identified as potential scholars and will be encouraged and stretched to develop their skills. The Head of Art will help pupils put together a portfolio of work to take to their prospective school for interview and an exam. These pupils are expected to produce artwork in their own time on a weekly basis and to undertake holiday projects. We have been very successful and many of our candidates have gone on to win art scholarships.