Our Vision (Intent)
By the time children leave our school we would like them to:
- Have ‘can do’ attitude towards art.
- Enjoy sharing their artwork with others.
- Understand that art can be represented in a variety of ways.
- Find a style of art they particularly enjoy/relate to.
- Apply a range of skills gained through art in a variety of different contexts.
- Acknowledge that art has a therapeutic element for some people.
- Recognise a range of artists, craftsworkers and designers, past and present and across a range of cultures.
- Understand how a sketchbook can help to develop ideas and experiment with this to find their own style.
Art is an integral part of life at St Augustine's which we believe can have a powerful and positive effect on a child's self esteem, can help them to express themselves and also make their mark on the environment around them. It enables children to make links between and take inspiration from a wide range of other curriculum areas and explore different materials and techniques responding to the work of artists, craft-workers and designers in various cultures, past and present. Children are encouraged to find ways to use their imagination and creativity to interpret the world around them, their own feelings and many other subject matters in visual form.
During art lessons children are encouraged to work on their own and also collaborating with others on small and large scale projects in two and three dimensions. We use sketchbooks to help the children record and develop their ideas and to show progression in their artistic ability. Different creative approaches to presentation of their work is encouraged especially as children move through KS2 in preparation for the child led approach to artwork often used as the children move on to high school. Classes regularly visit art galleries and are given opportunity to work in collaboration with artists, craft-workers and designers to inspire and challenge their thinking.
Art is not only taught in designated art lessons but often linked to a variety of other areas and gives the children opportunity to bring a topic to life. It plays a key part in many of our whole school events and our children's passion for art is clear from the moment you enter the school building. Children play a big role in creating displays around the school and we feel that it is very important that they have regular opportunities to share their fantastic artwork with others. We have a group of Art Ambassadors who meet regularly to talk about how art is taught in school and help to plan events where children's work is showcased and celebrated.
We are passionate about giving every child chance to become the best artist they can be and encourage all children to have a 'can do' attitude towards art, craft and design.
"Every child is an artist." Pablo Picasso
What does this look like in our school? (Implementation)
Our new units across school from September 2024...
Our new units across school from September 2022...
How we use our sketchbooks...
What's been going on in Art across school this term?
We have been taking part in a year long, city wide art project, exploring empathy and understanding for refugees through creativity, for Manchester’s Year of the Child and Young People 2022.
It is called 'Happy, Safe and free.'
Today, the 21st February, we started part 1 of our project. This is International Mother Language Day! We have been making art work about the things that make us happy!
Today, the 8th March, we started part 2 of our project. This is International Women's Day! We have been making art work about the things that make us feel safe!
Today, the 21st March, we started part 3 of our project. This is International Anit-Racism Day! We have been making art work about the things that make us appreciate being free!
Today, the 8th June, is DESTRUCTION DAY! We have shredded all of our beautiful artwork to help us to consider what it might feel like if our Happiness, Safety and Freedom were destroyed. This is how millions of refugees all over the world feel every year as they go off in search of a new place where they can be happy, safe and free.
