As artists, our INTENT is:

At St Alban’s CE Primary School, we are artists!  Art, craft and design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity as well as shaping the visual fabric of our society, past, present and future. At St Alban’s, we aim to equip the pupils with the knowledge and skills with which to observe, experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. We want them to be able to see themselves as creators using their observational and imaginative abilities and to give them the freedom to experiment and discover their own creative expression. We aim to give the pupils the ability to think critically about art and design and understand how the visual arts have contributed to the cultural history of different periods and nations.

We aim to provide a safe space for all pupils to engage in art, craft and design with an understanding that all expressions of the visual arts have worth and to challenge and inspire them to use their creative abilities throughout their academic career and in the workplace beyond.

And we IMPLEMENT this by:

• Exploring Quest question – discover prior knowledge of the subject.
• Exciting hook into the Learning Quest, e.g. an educational visit, photo or painting question hook, look at sculptures and ask why they are given the name they have, teacher’s own work - as inspiration.
• Show examples of an artist/designer to give them a clear point of reference.
• Allow the children to collect examples and explore techniques in their sketch books.
• Encourage exploring new techniques and materials before they tackle their finished piece.
• ‘Gallery walk around’ where we look at each other’s work in progress is useful, especially for those who find it difficult to visualise and get started.
• End Quest with an exciting Learning Quest celebration for parents.

The overarching aim for art in the National Curriculum is the belief that art can embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. A high-quality art and design education should engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. As pupils progress, they should be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design. They should also know how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation.  Our Learning Quest approach ensures that Art is integrated into all learning, and it is often the driving force for learning in other curricular areas.  Our curriculum closely follows the aims of the National Curriculum.

The National Curriculum for Art aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Will 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.

The IMPACT of this is: