Joydens Wood Junior School

At Joydens Wood Junior School we use elements from the Kapow scheme of work to support the implementation of this subject. This ensures a strong depth and breadth of skills and knowledge is covered. Our subject knowledge organisers are shared with every child at the start of a unit. 

Intent

At JWJS, we want to provide all children with learning opportunities to engage in Art and Design. We plan to offer a balanced curriculum that takes account of abilities, aptitudes and physical, emotional and intellectual development regardless of age, gender or ability. We want to emphasise the particular importance of designing and making is about fostering children’s creativity and imagination by building on their knowledge, skills and understanding of materials and processes, through providing activities that are more complex. We plan to study a range of current and historical great artists, craft makers and designers, and gain an understanding of the historical and cultural development of their art forms. Through this, we want our pupils to understand the diverse roles and functions of Art and Design in the world around them.

Implementation

At JWJS we will teach art regularly. The children will cover an art topic at least once every term and will also have additional opportunities to engage with art and design activities throughout the school year. We link art as closely as possible to the topic for the term, to ensure relevance and context. We teach a predominantly skills-based curriculum, which covers drawing, painting, sculpture, textiles and printing. Pupils re-visit skills throughout their time in school. Skills are revisited and homed in a spiral curriculum, which progresses in terms of depth and challenge, to build on the children’s previous learning. We ensure that each child develops their skills and techniques in a way appropriate to them, through active and purposeful experiences, and using a variety of art materials and teaching strategies. We foster an enjoyment and appreciation of the visual arts and a knowledge of artists, craftspeople and designers introducing pupils to a wide range of contemporary and historical artists and craftspeople. By introduce children to artists and art movements directly linked to the skills or topics they are covering they are able to make connections. Each child is encouraged to evaluate their art and design work and that of others, both with peers and adults. Finally, we celebrate effort, progress and achievement in art through displays, exhibitions and enrichment activities, such as trips out and competitions.

Impact

JWJS will provide a range of stimulating and creative opportunities within Art and Design, which create a framework for success and enjoyment, therefore enhancing self-esteem. We will develop children’s appreciation and understanding of Art as a positive force within their everyday life and seeing themselves as makers within a broader cultural context. We intend to foster the development of skills using a variety of media, techniques and scale, gaining confidence in their successful ideas. Pupils will be able reflect, evaluate and comment on their own artwork and will be able to use art vocabulary, describe skills and techniques to produce a range of art ensuring they are KS3 ready.