The Forest Academy

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Curriculum  »  Art

Art and Design is a medium that is accessible to all: children can engage with, be inspired by and be motivated to create works of art. Our Art curriculum has been developed to:

  • Challenge children’s knowledge and skills whilst motivating children to experiment

  • Develop children’s ability to reflect and record their experiences

  • Inspire children to invent and create their own works of art

  • Allow children to think critically about art and art History

  • Study a range of artists and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms 

  • Consider the mood of a variety of art pieces and reflect in their own thoughts and feelings

As children progress through school, our Art and Design curriculum is taught in all year groups through one strand per term: sculpture, drawing and painting. They are taught to use art specific language to discuss and explain their thinking whilst developing their subject knowledge.  Throughout each block of learning children are taught how to use a sketchbook. Within this process they:

  • learn about and analyse the work of artists 

  • explore techniques and mediums 

  • develop their critique skills 

  • articulate their views and opinions

  • learn to be reflective and resilient in the development of their art work

Children enjoy first hand-experiences -  working with natural materials, exploring art with local artists and enjoying visits to local art galleries and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Children learn a range of skills, with each strand building on the techniques from previous lessons whilst also developing new skills. In the summer term each year, the children also study an artist so that throughout their primary curriculum they will explore and learn about the art work of a range of artists, developing their knowledge of key points in art history and across a range of cultures. As a celebration and end point to each year, children enjoy an art exhibition. This provides an opportunity for children to evaluate their work and to experience first-hand the joy of sharing their art with the school community.