Art

Art Lead: Mrs K Brenner

Subject Policy:

Subject Document:

Subject Gallery:

‘Every Child is an Artist’ – Pablo Picasso

Creativity is a vitally important component of a child’s learning and development. Without the appropriate use of imagination and creativity, pupils are in danger not engaging with their own learning or be able to express themselves well.

Art helps children to deepen an understanding of their own and others’ creative ideas, as well as their skills in appreciation and evaluation. It also helps them to develop their own technical abilities in areas such as painting, puppetry, sculpture, sketching and collage.

At Oak Tree Primary, Art and Design is seen as an essential part of the curriculum and is taught regularly across the term. Across the KS1 and KS2 curriculum, pupils will gain greater knowledge of artists across a range of art forms, both traditional and contemporary, and an understanding of art history. The progression of art skills through their time at Oak Tree encompasses a wide variety of artistic and design mediums and styles, including pottery, printing, drawing, painting and digital art.

In KS2, the pupils are encouraged to keep detailed sketchbooks which stay with them as they progress through the year groups, to show the development of their skills and knowledge.

There are also opportunities to work on external art projects, and the curriculum is enriched with visits from artists, the opportunity to take part in the after school art club, and in wider creative events.

Access All Arts Week

In June 2022 we took part in the national initiative, ‘Access All Arts week’. At Oak Tree (then Manor Field) we decided that during Access All Arts week, each unit would have a whole day dedicated to art activities. So across the school, we have been creating all sort of brilliant artworks, using dance, drama, poetry, 2d and 3d sculpture, painting, and installations. Please see the following slideshow to view all the children’s hard work and creativity.

During 2020, Oak Tree (then Manor Field) pupils worked with professional artist Maria Amidu to participate in a local community art project. The project involved both the school and local residents association in working with Maria to develop ideas for the murals that have been painted on the Wivelsfield Station bridge areas. A short video about the project can be found here:

In keeping with our Thrive and Mind-Up programmes, this year, we will be engaging in some more school-wide art projects, and encouraging the children to use their expressive art skills and imagination to support their learning and well-being, both within and beyond the curriculum.

A healthy mind needs to exercise its imagination…

(Jodie Whittaker)