At Garden Fields School, we value Art and Design as an important part of the children’s entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum. All learners, regardless of age, nationality or background, should have entitlement and access to visual art education. Education through art inspires knowledge, appreciation and creation of culture. The individual, the unexpected and the child’s voice will all be celebrated and valued.

Children should be given an opportunity to use a range of materials, be given a breadth of experiences and engage with their local community. They will be introduced to the works of artists of all genders, backgrounds and ethnicities. They should have an awareness of a broad range of artists and art movements and be able to consider and discuss the artworks they encounter.

Art and design education will engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to participate in, experiment with, invent and create their own works of art. Art education helps students to understand themselves, building confidence and self-esteem, and contributes significantly to their own well-being.

The teaching and implementation of the Art and Design Curriculum at Garden Fields School is based on the National Curriculum and Curriculum Maestro in order to provide engaging and inspiring lessons.  This is supplemented by the NSEAD Art Scheme plans, ensuring a detailed approach to this creative subject.

At Garden Fields we link Art as closely as possible to the topic for the term, to ensure relevance and context. We teach a predominantly skills and knowledge based curriculum, which covers drawing, painting, sculpture, textiles and printing.

The school celebrates the effort, progress and achievement of all pupils in art through displays and enrichment activities.

Art focuses on personal progress. The children have the opportunity to evaluate their work through circle time and crits. Evaluations can take a variety of forms such as self, peer and whole class. These aim to be non-judgemental, supportive, positive and encouraging. Discussions are key to improvement and progression. Pupils are given advice on future steps and receive follow-up reviews.

The impact of our Art and Design curriculum is to promote the opportunity for every child to be an artist. By the end of their time with us, we want pupils to have learned, improved and embedded a range of artistic skills. We want them to have had the opportunity to work with a range of materials and experiment with the new techniques they have been taught.  At Garden Fields School we develop the children’s enjoyment of the creative process and self expression.

To celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2022, each year group was given a prominent artist from a decade within the Queen’s reign, to study. The artwork is displayed in our virtual gallery.

• Reception (2010-2022) Andy Goldsworthy
• Year 1 (2000-2010) Orla Kiely
• Year 2 (1990-2000) Damien Hirst
• Year 3 (1980-1990) David Hockney
• Year 4 (1970-1980) Peter Blake
• Year 5 (1960-1970) Bridget Riley
• Year 6 (1950-1960) Barbara Hepworth

Miss Gurney is the Art & Design Subject Coordinator.