Art & Design Curriculum

Intent

Art and Design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. At the New Wave Federation, it is our intention to offer all pupils a high-quality art and design education that engages, inspires and challenges pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design.

As pupils make progress they will be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of the fundamental attributes of an artist or designer. We encourage high achievement through our provision of quality teaching and learning experiences.

Through exploration our pupils will know how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation and the impact it has on contemporary life and that of different times.

Implementation

Art and Design within the New Wave Federation is taught using a thematic curriculum from the Early Years through to the end of Key Stage Two and aims to ensure that all our pupils remember long-term art content they have been taught and integrate new knowledge into larger ideas. Leaders provide effective support for those teaching outside their main areas of expertise and as a result, teachers have good knowledge of the Art and Design curriculum. The art work given to pupils is demanding and matches the aims of the Art and Design curriculum and is coherently planned and sequenced. Teachers present content clearly, promoting appropriate discussion and ensuring pupils can evaluate the work of world artists and designers they have studied. They check pupils’ understanding of how to use art and design as a means of self-expression, identify misconceptions accurately and provide clear, direct feedback. In so doing, they respond and adapt their art teaching as necessary.

Impact

New Wave teachers use a variety of strategies such as regular and consistent feedback, coherently planned and demanding learning experiences and the use of individual sketchbooks to evaluate the knowledge, skills and understanding that our children have gained in art and design during each half-termly unit. As a result, pupils develop detailed knowledge and skills across the art and design curriculum and achieve the best possible outcomes producing work of a high quality. Our pupils are equipped with the essential art and design knowledge and skills needed for the next stage in their education and, where relevant, they gain qualifications that allow them to go on to destinations that meet their interests and aspirations.

Enrichment

At the New Wave Federation, we maximise children’s art and design learning by providing them with a range of rich and memorable experiences. Reflecting a thematic approach, we offer our pupils an extensive range of planned opportunities, for example, learning from expert artists or designers, participating in bespoke workshops, creating murals for the local nature reserve or visiting the wealth of galleries London has to offer. Working collaboratively with the local community, pupils gain an insight into joint ventures, working within industry and the local environment.