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Intent

Here at Collis we aim to cultivate creative children who are inspired through our delivery of the art and design curriculum. We focus on the 3 main disciplines of Art; drawing, painting and sculpture and build knowledge strategically and sequentially so our children can leave as proficient artists.

• Our art and design lessons should engage, inspire and challenge our children, while developing their knowledge and skills throughout their school life.
• We want children to have the opportunities to explore different media, genres, artists, architects, illustrators and sculptors from a range of backgrounds and contexts. Through this exploration they have the opportunity to create and invent their own work. Children are encouraged to experiment, take risks and be innovative.
• We value the whole creative journey. Each unit starts with exploration and response to an artist, then children are given the opportunities to learn and practise new skills and knowledge, focusing on one or two of the 7 formal elements of art. Often, the unit will culminate in a final piece, amalgamating all new skills learnt. These final pieces may be similar or look very different and should demonstrate their individual understanding and learning. We then encourage the children to think critically and evaluate their own and their peers' work with a focus on the formal elements of art that have been studied in that unit.
• We expose children to a wide selection of materials from the outset so that pupils can build their understanding and skills
• Our curriculum is designed with a clear progression of skills, knowledge and vocabulary. The breadth of vocabulary we expose them to further enhances their reading skills.
• At Collis we have a particular focus on cultural capital and prioritise visiting museums and galleries and inviting artists/illustrators into school.

Implementation

• When delivering the creative curriculum at Collis there is a real focus on teaching the children specific knowledge and techniques, with a clear progression and sequence.

• To ensure art lessons provide the children with a real sense of purpose, each unit is framed by a wider disciplinary question, with key practical, theoretical and historical “sticky knowledge” that we shape the unit around and consistently revisit. 
• Children always have the opportunity to express their creativity as an individual and art work is not expected to look the same.
• Our curriculum is organised so that the whole school focuses on similar skills at the same time in the school year with an emphasis on the key skill of drawing. We have organised the curriculum with a drawing focus in the Autumn Term, painting and colour in the Spring and Sculpture in the Summer Term. Our curriculum is about mastering the basics but supplementing it with opportunities for children to be exposed to other ‘areas of making’ including collage, printing and graphic design.
• The artists and artwork children study have been selected to inspire and showcase specific techniques and formal elements. They are being used to show how artists have explored using different materials, investigated specific themes or content or show the different knowledge areas – drawing, painting, collage, printing, or different sculpting techniques that we are introducing to the pupils.
• It is important for children to be introduced to a diverse range of artists from different periods in history and from different cultures.
• Artists chosen represent a diverse range with a mix of male and female artists and they are from a range of cultures, ethnicities and time periods.

Autumn Term - Drawing

Spring Term - Painting & Colour

Summer Term - 3D & Sculpture

An example of studying and immersing children in multi-cultural art is Black History Week.

Impact

Art and design is high profile at our school. Our children love Art and Design and the last survey overwhelmingly expressed this. The impact of our art and design is evident in the visual journey in our children’s sketchbooks.

In these you can see:

• The artist/s studied where children will have evaluated and commented on the key techniques, formal elements and relevant historical and social contexts.
• Key techniques, knowledge and practised skills
• Self-reflection as they suggest their own next steps and what they could do to make these improvements. Because of this approach - children will develop resilience when evaluating their own progress and become more confident when experimenting.
• Children will know more, remember more, and understand more about artists, designers, sculptors and architects through history and from different cultures. 

If you were to walk into an art and design lesson at Collis, you will see:

• Clear skills being taught and modelled around the learning objective that builds on previous learning
• Children using high quality vocabulary linked to the skills and subject being taught
• Children using a variety of visual aids/artists work as inspiration
• A range of high quality materials and resources
• Children confidently expressing what has gone well in their designs and what can be improved, using the seven formal elements to focus their responses
• Children reflecting on their own art work and editing where necessary
• Evaluating and forming opinions about art and the world around them using the key sticky knowledge and 7 elements

An example of painting and colour theory progression within our Art curriculum:

Local Art Galleries

Looking to further foster and encourage your children’s love of art? Here is a list of local free galleries that we recommend you explore!

Landmark Centre
https://www.landmarkartscentre.org

Whether you are looking for an evening out with friends or something to do with the family you are sure to find it here. We are a vibrant arts centre serving the boroughs of Richmond and Kingston. We host the very best live music, comedy, workshops, art classes at our Teddington home and inspirational experiences across the region.

Stanley Picker Gallery
https://www.stanleypickergallery.org/

Stanley Picker Gallery at Kingston University is one of the leading university galleries and commissioning venues in the UK, working with artists, designers, students, academics and members of the local community to encourage creativity, learning, research and innovation.

Orleans House Gallery
https://www.orleanshousegallery.org/

Orleans House Gallery is a contemporary art gallery set in beautiful gardens overlooking the River Thames in Twickenham. At its heart is the lavish Baroque Octagon Room. With a year-round programme of exhibitions, live events and educational experiences, a wild wood to explore, a shop and the Stables Café where you can enjoy a cup of coffee and delicious light refreshments, ​we have something for everyone.

London Galleries

https://southeastwithkids.co.uk/best-art-galleries-to-visit-with-kids-in-london/

Happy to venture further afield? This brilliant article shares the best art galleries in London to visit with kids and why.