'Art and Design is not just a subject to learn, but an activity that you can practise: with your hands, your eyes, your whole personality.'

Quentin Blake, Children's Laureate

At Shrivenham C of E Primary School, we believe that art stimulates creativity and imagination.  It provides visual, tactile and sensory experiences and a special way of understanding and responding to the world.  Art enables children to communicate what they see, feel and think through the use of colour, texture, form, pattern and a variety of materials, tools and techniques.  Children will be encouraged to learn and take inspiration from the work of artists, artistic movements and designers.  We believe that ‘every child is an artist’ and therefore, all pupils will be encouraged to become visually literate and understand how art can be a vital form of communication.   Art is unique, it has no boundaries and can therefore be accessed by all abilities.  It allows us to communicate in a special way – relying fundamentally upon individual interpretation and expression compared to more formal approaches of other curriculum areas.  Children are encouraged to try out new ideas without fear of failure, and to understand that ‘having a go’, making mistakes and re-evaluation are all essential tools for their ‘creative journey’.

Art and Design is taught through 5 units - drawing, painting, printing, sculpture and collage. Each unit comprises of 4 objectives: generating ideas, making, evaluating and knowledge. This allows the children to build and develop not only a wide set of art skills but be inspired by great artists, gain an understanding of technical processes as well as the skills to evaluate their own work in a holistic approach.

• Investigate and research great artists and inspiring art
• Experiment and work with a wide range of media
• Explore and develop their own ideas and justify their decisions
• Evaluate and develop their own work
• Link art with other areas of the curriculum
• Understand and use the language of Art and Design
• Work independently and collaboratively on a range of different projects
• Investigate Art and Design throughout history in various genres, styles, time periods, cultures and traditions
• Investigate Art and Design within the locality
• Establish and develop a wide set of skills and knowledge of Art and Design
• Foster an enjoyment and appreciation of Art and a knowledge of artists, crafts people and designers