Intent, Implementation and Impact in Art 

Intent 

• At St James’s C of E Junior School, we have produced a two-year rolling programme and curriculum which is both interesting and varied, driven by our five curriculum drivers: Oracy, Initiatives, Futures, Opening Doors to the Wider World and Well-being. 

• By linking learning to a range of topics, children have opportunities to experience a range of artworks – both in Britain and abroad, to help develop their understanding and appreciation of art.  

• We provide children with opportunities to investigate and make enquiries about artwork worldwide and from a range of times and cultures so that they can develop a real sense of who they are, their heritage and what makes our local area unique and special. 

• We believe that high-quality art lessons inspire children to think and act as artists. 

Our curriculum drivers 

• Oracy - Children at St James’ often join the school with English as an additional language and/ or with poor language acquisition. Children will be encouraged to listen actively and contribute articulately to a discussion during Art lessons and discuss their ideas – Why do you think that? How do you know? What impact does that have? Art vocabulary will be explained and used accurately by teachers, as well as knowledge organisers with vocabulary in their sketchbooks. EAL learners will also have a word mat with pictures next to the vocabulary need to know. 

• Initiative - Children are encouraged to have a ‘Have a go’ attitude. Children are encouraged to be independent learners; to help themselves, to identify their own areas they need to improve on. In art lessons, children are encouraged to further their own independent learning, as artists all work in different ways.  

• Futures – Being involved in both individual and group craft activities improves a child's problem-solving, critical thinking and communication skills, all of which are qualities that help them to develop in many other areas. 

• Opening doors to the wider world – Most of our children do not have the experiences of visiting art galleries or being exposed to artwork. Therefore, our art lessons help children to learn the skills and knowledge to produce an art piece. We want our children to gain amazing real-world life experiences and will provide as many opportunities that we can through their lessons and visitors. We want the children to believe that they can aspire to be anything they want. Our children do not know about the opportunities the world can offer them, so we will expose them to as many as possible and give them the skills to access them. 

• Keeping Safe and Well – Art is fun, interesting, puzzling and intriguing. We want all children to feel that they are valued, successful and are enthused. Our curriculum and lesson design ensures all children work together through the objectives but with support and challenge where needed. Pupils with SEND are engaged with the learning and make progress at their own level.  

Essential characteristics for all children to become artists: 

• An experience of and immersion in a range of artwork from different times, places and cultures. 

• An excellent understanding of techniques required to produce quality art. 

• An extensive base of artistic knowledge and vocabulary. 

• An attitude of experimentation and practice, and a willingness to make mistakes in order to improve. 

• The ability to develop a reasoned argument to explain preferences. 

• Significant levels of originality, imagination or creativity as shown in interpretations and representations of the subject matter. 

• Highly developed and frequently utilised artistic skills and techniques. 

• A passion for and commitment to the subject, and a real sense of curiosity to find out about the uses and expressions of art in different times, paces and cultures. 

• The ability to express well-balanced opinions, rooted in very good knowledge and understanding about current and contemporary artwork. 

Implementation 

• As a staff, we maintain strong links to the National Curriculum guidelines to ensure all aspects, knowledge and skills of Art are being taught across the year group. 

• Teachers will continually assess during an art unit, looking at how well the children develop the skills throughout and evidence from their final piece.  

• Teachers will assess on insight twice a year against seven objectives. 

• Knowledge organisers in sketchbooks so children can remind themselves of key vocabulary, teachers will refer to these at the start of every lesson. 

• Children and teachers will continue to develop deep subject knowledge and key skills. 

• Trips and visiting experts who will enhance the learning experience. 

• Strong links to the drivers; Oracy, Initiatives, Opening Doors to the World, Futures and Keeping Safe. 

Impact 

• Children will enjoy Art lessons and look forward to finding out more.  

• Evidence of work will show the range of topics covered, cross-curricular links and differentiated work. 

• There will be a celebration of learning for each term which demonstrates progression across the school 

• Standards in Art will be high and will match standards in other subjects. 

• Pupils will talk confidently and positively about their learning in Art. 

• SLT are kept informed through feedback from moderations, book scrutinies and subject action plans. 

• Pupils final pieces will show that children have used the skills and knowledge taught to produce their own piece of work.