Fosse Way 4
Fosse Way 3
Fosse Way 2
Cafe pic #4_5
Intent:
The visual arts provision at Fosse Way School aims to give all pupils the opportunity and encouragement to:
- Develop their practical and manipulative skills across a wide range of media, processes and techniques.
- Build self esteem and confidence so that they can take pride and enjoyment in their own and others creative and expressive achievements.
- Develop their personal creative and imaginative responses to the world around and their own life experiences.
Through art we aspire to give pupils a love of learning and creative exploration, developing skills that are transferable across all disciplines and subjects, and essential in their education and personal development.
Projects encourage pupils to take risks, show resilience, and challenge themselves with the new and unfamiliar.
A broad, balanced and cohesive curriculum that builds on and develops experience, knowledge and skills, allows pupils repeated opportunities to explore a variety of media and processes, thereby embedding and developing skills and knowledge.
Implementation:
At Fosse Way School there is a coherent and structured visual art curriculum across all Key Stages.
The Early years and Primary visual art curriculum follows the thematic Primary curriculum structure. Sensory and Academic pathway versions of the curriculum can be adapted as required for individual teachers and pupils. All projects focus on specific materials, processes and contextual knowledge, and each year covers an extensive range of materials, processes and knowledge.
At Key Stage Three pupils are taught by their class teachers and specialist teachers, all of whom follow the detailed and structured curriculum. Most class rooms have appropriate resources and materials, but specialist materials, tools and teaching materials are available from the dedicated art room.
Staff are encouraged to work to their own strengths whilst also developing new skills and knowledge, and to adapt projects and tasks to the specific individual needs of their pupils.
At Key Stage Four some pupils work towards a GCSE qualification. They follow an appropriately structured course, delivered by a subject specialist. Other students are taught a detailed and structured course that allows for personal development, creativity and expression, and the development of skills and knowledge.
Additionally, visual arts work is a part of other curriculum areas, such as humanities, history, PHSE and science, where skills learnt in art lessons are applied and extended.
Much visual art work takes place outside specified art lessons. Skills and knowledge gained through formal lessons is directly transferable to these activities, and increases pupil engagement and quality of the outcomes. Additionally, collaboration with other arts disciplines and other subject areas is encouraged to deepen pupils’ engagement and learning.
Opportunities to engage with community groups and projects is actively developed, and leads to a high level of pupil engagement and success.
Impact:
Across the school impact is measured through pupil engagement and enthusiasm for their work. Evidence is documented through photographs of process and outcomes, and through verbal testimony. Sketchbooks and folders provide evidence of pupils’ development and progress through each year.
Assessment of work by teachers is carried out regularly, against clear objectives and criteria, monitoring pupils coverage of aspects of art and design, and the development of skills and knowledge. There is regular communication and discussion amongst teaching staff on a formal and informal level around the visual arts curriculum, pupil engagement, achievement and standards.
Learning criteria and objectives are shared with pupils, and there is regular and structured self-review and assessment so that they are aware of their own progress and development.
GCSE results, at Key Stage Four, gives a picture of achievement of pupils against external national criteria. We regularly have students who develop an interest in art as a career or are interested in further study.
The impact of the visual arts curriculum at Fosse Way School can be seen in every class room and corridor, where it is clear pupils work is valued and celebrated, and pupils take pride and pleasure in their work. This extends to non-curricular events such as exhibitions and competitions within school, and the very positive engagement within the local community, through competitions, exhibitions and arts projects.
Careers:
Through a regular programme of trips to arts venues and visits by artists and organisations, students are introduced to the world of visual arts beyond the school, both as observer and practitioner, and develop an understanding of how to pursue art as a career.
Visits to colleges and businesses helps pupils to see the possibilities of employment within the arts, and the requirements and qualifications needed.
Working with local, and other, organisations on projects such as competitions, exhibitions and projects pupils develop skills and understanding of the role of art in daily life, and within the community.
Projects that pupils undertake explain and demonstrate how people make a living in the arts in the contemporary world, such as craft and graphic design.
The role of artists throughout history is explained through many projects pupils engage with.
Pupils build practical skills that are applicable in many jobs and professions. They develop skills that will help them succeed in the world, such as organisational, problem solving and investigative skills.