Implementation

Art at Northmead is based on the National curriculum and planning is supported by a clear skills progression document which sets out the skills which should be taught across the disciplines of drawing, painting,  collage, printing, ceramics, textiles and photography.  Art is taught in class bases throughout the school.  We discuss the history of Art as part of school assemblies. Art features highly during enrichment weeks.

Ever changing displays around the school and in classrooms are evidence of the high quality work that is achieved by the children. In the summer term we celebrate our creativity by holding an exhibition evening for friends and family.

Drawing

Through drawing we learn to;

observe

explore,

communicate ideas

share emotions

Drawing might be an end in itself or a starting point for other art activities.  

Painting

Children use a variety of paints; water colour, acrylics, poster paints. They explore different effects by using a number of tools and techniques.  By the time they leave us children show understanding of the colour wheel and have investigated primary / secondary, warm /cold, complementary/contrasting colours. 

Printing

This is some of the vocabulary we use when creating prints:

Mono-print                                  Stencil                                         Ink                                Layering 

Repeated pattern                       Press print                                 Overlay

3D

Children have opportunities to assemble found materials, such as cardboard, to make new forms, carefully  covering them with papier maché.  Before using finishing techniques to strengthen and improve the appearance of what they produce. 

Year 4 always enjoy creating Egyptian death masks.  

Collage

Collage materials are all around us.

The term collage derives from the French term papiers collés (or découpage), used to describe techniques of pasting papercut-outs onto a surface.

Photography

Children are taught to use cameras and their functions to take photos for a specific purpose or creative effect.  

When taking photos use the rule of thirds. 

1. Try not to place your subject directly in the middle of your picture.
2. Imagine a tic tac toe grid as you are setting up a shot.
3. Place your main subject on one of the intersections.
4. When taking landscape pictures place the horizon on either the upper or lower third line. Do not place the horizon directly in the middle

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Ceramics

Over the course of their time at Northmead children are provided with opportunities to construct pieces using different clay techniques, including slab, coil, and hand modelling.  Children consider the aesthetics of their pieces and learn to apply surface decorations,  slips and glazes.  

Textiles

At Northmead we learn hand stitching, and in year 6 we use a sewing machine to complete a simple applique.  

If you would like to practise the stitches we are taught, click on the video links below for a demonstration from Miss Lewis.