Intent
At Durham Dales Partnership schools we have created a curriculum which extends beyond the classroom and into the world around, one that enables children to understand who they are and the world in which they inhabit and which ultimately gets children excited to learn and prepared for the future that awaits them.
At Durham Dales Partnership we value Art and Design as an important part of our children’s broad and balanced curriculum. We believe that Art and Design provides the children with an opportunity to express their individual interests, thoughts and ideas. Our art and design curriculum enables children to develop and extend skills, giving all children an opportunity to find a creative outlet that’s just right for them.
Implementation
Our art and design curriculum is planned to ensure coverage and high priority within our mixed age classes. Through ambitious experiences and creative thinking skills, children delve deeper into their understanding whilst developing new skills for a range of purposes.
Children engage in many art and design projects with both local artists and the local Bowes Museum and all staff are committed to engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. Lessons are planned to stimulate curiosity and develop understanding, knowledge and skills. They are designed to be fun and engaging for all pupils and inclusive for all the ages, starting points and abilities within the class.
Celebration events are planned regularly for the whole school to show parents and the school community the learning that has been achieved, with children demonstrating and explaining their skills and artwork to their parents and peers, also giving them the opportunity to experiment with their own creativity.
Impact
We use a progression of skills throughout school that teachers use to monitor progress. Understanding is evaluated through regular questioning, work produced and assessment against the objectives. As children progress throughout school, they develop their ability to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design. They also develop their understanding of how art and design reflects, shapes and evidences our history and contributes to different cultures.
Our children will leave Durham Dales Partnership schools having had access to a diverse set of art, craft and design skills with an understanding of how this can enhance and enrich their life and can be used positively in the future as a career or a form of creative release and relaxation. They will be able to discuss and share their own thoughts, opinions and ideas about art, acknowledging, respecting and welcoming the diverse preferences that others will have.
