Intent

At Manor Leas Junior Academy, the Art curriculum inspires children to express themselves creatively and confidently. It is designed to develop their understanding of artistic techniques, styles, and influences while fostering appreciation for cultural diversity in art. We aim to provide children with opportunities to develop their technical skills, creativity, and critical thinking, enabling them to experiment with a variety of media and materials. The curriculum (Access Art) ensures pupils gain a knowledge of significant artists, art movements, and how art reflects and shapes our world.

Implementation

Each year, students build on previous learning, exploring techniques such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and digital media. Weekly lessons are carefully sequenced to develop technical skills and encourage experimentation. Children are introduced to local, national, and global artists and art traditions to deepen their cultural understanding. Through sketchbooks, pupils document their progress, reflect on their work, and explore ideas.

Teachers provide formative feedback throughout lessons, and students are encouraged to evaluate their own and others’ work to foster critical thinking. 

Impact

By the end of KS2, students will have developed confidence and competence in using a range of artistic techniques and materials. They will understand the significance of art in different cultures and historical periods and appreciate its role in personal and collective expression. Pupils will achieved work that reflects their creativity, progression, and ability to critically evaluate art. The curriculum will instill a lifelong appreciation of the arts and equip students with the skills to pursue further artistic exploration in their education and beyond.

Art Weeks

Each academic year, Manor Leas dedicate two full weeks to art. This enable children to enrich, apply, consolidate and explore art in much more depth. One of our art weeks is dedicated to expression and communication of social justice and the other exploring sculpture as an art form and its power of communication. From participating in both these week long projects, children will leave with a final piece that they have explored, developed and evaluated.