Art stimulates children’s creativity and imagination by providing visual, tactile and sensory experiences and a unique way of understanding and responding to the world. They develop an understanding of colour, form, texture, pattern, and apply their understanding to materials and processes to communicate ideas, feelings and meanings. Lessons explore with children, developing ideas and understanding of the work of artists, craftspeople and designers.
It equally helps them to learn about different art, craft and design throughout different times and cultures. Children learn how to make thoughtful judgements, aesthetic and practical decisions, and to become actively involved in shaping their thoughts in relation to art.
Why do we teach Art at Manor Farm Academy?
At Manor Farm Academy, we recognise that education in the Arts is fundamental to fostering curiosity and creative development and enhancing Cultural Capital. Consequently, we are committed to offering a diverse array of learning experiences that enable pupils to systematically build their skills through our Art learning. Our aim is to create an environment where pupils can develop and explore specific artistic skills, knowledge, and the works of various artists and make individual links to artists’ work.
Throughout their time at Manor Farm Academy, pupils will have the opportunity to regularly investigate and experiment with a variety of materials. We strive to ensure that pupils feel secure, valued, and confident to face challenges. We aim to make learning a pleasurable and rewarding experience, encouraging pupils to take risks and try new things. Our goal is for pupils to be interested, motivated, and positive, developing curiosity about the world around them and beyond. We encourage perseverance, independence, and resilience, fostering self-motivation towards their own learning. At Manor Farm Academy we deliver a curriculum that is taught with ambition, meeting or exceeding National Curriculum expectations. Drawing will be at the center of all learning, promoting and developing children’s diverse abilities and skills whilst making links with artists. We understand that outcomes will vary for each pupil, recognising that Art is a very personal and individual response. Our curriculum will provide a stimulating and positive learning environment where children’s artwork is celebrated.
How do we teach Art at Manor Farm Academy?
Each unit of learning in the Art curriculum will commence with drawing opportunities, documented in sketchbooks, to allow children to develop their sketchbook journey. Pupils will have the opportunity to explore a variety of materials and their properties, including mark making techniques, different surfaces for mark making, and construction methods in sculpture. They will leverage their previous learning, skills, and knowledge of the works of established artists. Subject knowledge will foster curiosity among the pupils, encouraging them to ask questions and engage thoughtfully with the content. Pupils will be invited to express themselves within their art lessons and will learn and use a wide range of artistic vocabulary.
Additionally, children will study the works of real artists, using them as inspiration for their creations. They will also have opportunities to revisit, modify, and refine their ideas over time, ensuring a clear progression of skills, including the ‘Language of Art’ that will be utilised by both staff and pupils during lessons.
The impact of teaching Art at Manor Farm Academy
At Manor Farm Academy, our pupils have a clear understanding of the significance of Art and derive great enjoyment from the creative and curious journey it offers. This includes engagement with experiential Art as well as works from diverse cultures and historical periods. Children can recognise the crucial role that Art plays in shaping their understanding of the world, whether by exploring contemporary pieces or those from previous eras. Pupils value the individuality of their responses within their sketchbook journey, acknowledging that Art is a personal expression and that each creation is unique. At Manor Farm academy we want our children to feel empowered to experiment with new ideas and concepts, confident in the knowledge that learning is a part of the process. Our pupils take pride in showcasing their skills and knowledge in Art and increasingly articulate their experiences using Art vocabulary with assurance.
Art learning in action at Manor Farm Academy
At Manor Farm Academy, our approach to Art education empowers pupils to engage with their individual learning styles, nurturing their curiosity while enabling them to understand their personal next steps and objectives. The children have the opportunity to practice, explore, and develop their artistic techniques, which are documented in individual sketchbooks, ultimately culminating in a final piece of work.
Each unit of study introduces pupils to a diverse range of artists, emphasising the importance of personal expression in art. We are committed to encouraging our students to explore various artists, including those with protected characteristics.
Additionally, we host a well-attended Key Stage 2 Art Club after school, where pupils can further hone their skills and creativity. Their artwork is celebrated throughout the academy, allowing for continued exploration of different media and skill development. During art lessons, teachers also foster their own curiosity by maintaining their own sketchbooks alongside the students, enhancing the collaborative learning environment.
Additional Art experiences at Manor Farm Academy
The Art subject leader has initiated collaboration with the local community to explore career opportunities in working with and inspiring children at Manor Farm Academy. Concurrently, Manor Farm Academy has been actively partnering with the Trust to develop a more inclusive curriculum that celebrates diversity in art and artists, ensuring that all art learning is acknowledged and represented.
