Birchwood C of E Primary School

At Birchwood Church of England Primary School, we believe that art stimulates the imagination and creativity of all pupils. We believe that art is a vital part of children’s education and has a profound role in the taught curriculum. Our curriculum equips children with the skills, concepts and knowledge to become autonomous and expressive learners enabling them to develop personally, socially and emotionally. We believe that every child should have a safe place to express their emotions, ideas and experiences whilst gaining the skills, concepts and knowledge to become artists.  

Our Art curriculum: 

• Engages, inspires and challenges all pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art. 

• Develops a deep understanding and appreciation of how art can contribute to the history, culture, creativity and wealth of our nation. 

• Encourages all children to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art. 

• Explores key artists, designers and craftsmen through time 

• Develops the skills of drawing, painting and sculpture. 

• Gives children the opportunity to invent and create their own works of art. 

• Gives children the opportunity to use specific art vocabulary when evaluating and analysing creative works 

• Contributes to the children’s personal development in creativity, independence and self-reflection. 

To ensure a consistent and meaningful curriculum throughout school, both key stages will cover all of the key elements – drawing, painting, sculpture and textiles ensuring that the skills are progressive. Children will develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space. These techniques will be built upon throughout each year group to show a clear progression of artistic skills and techniques. 

In Key Stage One, children will use a wide range of mediums such as printing tools, a variety of materials, fabric dyes, wax resist sticks, wool, a range of sketching pencils and paints. In Key Stage Two, these techniques will be developed further and other mediums such as clay and charcoal will be introduced additionally to children mastering the skill of painting, drawing and sculpture. 

"I love art because I feel that I can express myself and it transports me to another world," - Year 6 pupil, 2024.

By the end of Year 6, our artists will know a range of great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms. The artists have been very carefully selected and sequenced to ensure progression, that they link to a range of art forms and also exposes children to a range of differing artists including artists from differing cultures, genders and periods in history. We have a balance between artists of the past, as well as current artists today. This gives the children wider knowledge and understanding, enabling them to develop a preference and become inspired whilst developing cultural capital.

Every year, we are proud to host our own Art Week and Art Gallery for our school community. Art Week ran from 17th June 2024 - 21st June 2024. The theme this year was 'Sustainability', specifically 'God's Green Earth'. As part of our Art Week, the children were exploring God's Green Earth, including life in all forms. Classes incorporated a range of themes including sculpture, drawing and painting. To mark the end of Art Week, we held our annual Art Gallery on the school playground and in the church to showcase our children's wonderful creations. Classes chose winning entries to be submitted into the 'Spirited Arts Competition 2024'. It was a huge success, and we already cannot wait for next year!