Art is a powerful and very communicative tool for many young people with Special Educational Needs which stimulates both creativity and imagination.  The medium of Art enables pupils to express themselves in a variety of ways and help them to develop their understanding and respond to the world around them.

The national curriculum for art and design aims to ensure that all pupils:

– produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences
– become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques
– evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design
– know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms

Our experienced Specialist team delivers Art and Design at Arbour Vale School with the aim of bringing Key Stage topics alive.

EYFS

In Early Years Art is taught through the Expressive Arts and Design area of learning.  Specialist teaching compliments and enriches each week’s focus with activities from an arts perspective. The emphasis of the lessons is to encourage engagement through enjoyment of creative and expressive play.

Key Stage 1 and 2

The Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils follow the National Curriculum which is adapted to meet their needs. Art is taught through the topics with the focus for each term being explored through either (i) a specific arts/craft skill, wherein a range of subjects are explored in the same media; or (ii) a range of arts/craft activities are used to explore a specific focus of the topic. Developing skill and good learning behaviour is encouraged by celebrating success.

At AVS we aim to teach our KS1 and 2 pupils

– to use sketch books in creative work
– to improve their art skills including drawing, painting and sculpture
– about great artists, architects and designers

Key Stage 3

The Key Stage 3 pupils follow the National Curriculum which is adapted to meet their needs. In Key stage 3 the topics are enriched by exploring an art period, form or type that appropriately links to the topic. The learning involves practical activities, contextual studies and contemporary interpretations of the art.

At AVS we aim to teach our KS3 pupils

– to use sketchbooks, journals and other media creatively
– to use a range of techniques and media, including painting
– to increase their skill in making with a range of materials
– to reflect on their work, to improve it visually or how it can be used about the story of art from ancient times up to the present day

Key Stage 4

In Key Stage 4 pupils continue to explore, refine and develop their art skills. They have the opportunity to demonstrate their creativity, knowledge and understanding of a variety of arts and mastery of art techniques. At Key Stage 4, pupils work on developing skills in order to prepare them for accreditation and other relevant qualifications or nationally recognised standards suited to their needs and abilities.

Post 16

Students in Post 16 all access Art which is taught through the curriculum. Students work towards the Arts Award – Bronze level.

Enrichment

Extra-curricular art activities include clubs to boost subject-specific learning and to encourage pupils’ enjoyment of creativity in their free time.