Artists at Ide

Lead Artist: Cat Barker

Art at Ide Primary School plays a key part in our broad and rich curriculum. We recognise that Art plays an important part of every child’s education and development. Therefore we strive to provide an Art curriculum that inspires all of our children and links to other aspects of our curriculum. Through Art, the children are able to reach all subject areas in inspiring and imaginative ways.

Alongside the Art curriculum, the children have the opportunity to apply these skills across many subject areas. In addition to this, the children have the opportunity to participate in a wide range of focused Art projects. Last year, thanks to the Helen Foundation, Daisi foundation and FIS, the children participated in a whole school Felting project. The end product, which represents our Global community, can be seen hanging in the hall. We also entered the National Gallery’s ‘Take one Picture’ competition and our work was displayed in the gallery!

How do we teach Art and why has this approach been chosen?

At Ide Primary School, children frequently work as artists through their enquiry question- this could be as part of asking ‘What is Creativity?’ or ‘What do artists do? Our children develop a wide range of artistic skills and techniques which progress through the year groups, using the national curriculum guidance as a starting point but adding our own knowledge and skills, for example making sure that children are exposed to a diversity of artistic styles and artists from history and from modern times as well as from a range of cultures and with a focus on the use of sustainable materials.

Art is taught for an average of 36 hours across the year (equivalent to one hour per week). Children from Year 1 upwards revisit and progress their skills in each aspect of art as part of their enquiry questions as the move through the school.

Why is it right for children at Ide?

It is essential that Art supports the philosophy of our school, develops the whole child and that every child feels included, challenged and supported. Ide has always been proud of its inclusive creativity and we are lucky enough to have many talented, artistic parents that are willing to come in and share their skills. This show the children that being a successful artist is not just about drawing but that Art is a multifaceted subject that everyone can be skilled in.

Knowledge, skills and understanding