‘The arts provide a unique way of communicating that can inspire and motivate children. It is a vehicle for personal expression, and it can play an important part in the personal development of young people through painting, drawing, sculpture, dance, drama, music or literature.’
The arts stimulate pupil creativity and imagination. It provides visual, tactile and sensory experiences and a way of understanding and responding to the world. We actively work to provide a learning environment and a broad, balanced range of activities that enables our children to express themselves and reach their full potential through the arts. The arts identify a range of cross curricular links between areas of learning which deepens children’s understanding by providing opportunities to reinforce and enhance learning.
At Long Ditton, it is our aim to deliver a creative curriculum in the Early Years and Key Stage One, in accordance with the National Curriculum and to use the subject to reinforce child centred learning gained in other school areas.
Aims of our Arts education
- Provide opportunities for all children to participate in and experience a broad and balanced range of arts activities.
- Provide the opportunities to develop a progressive range of skills and creativity through the arts.
- Enable pupils to have an appreciation of the part that the arts play in their own and others’ lives, in contemporary life and in different times and cultures.
The Arts falls within ‘Creative development’ in the Early Years Foundation Stage. At Long Ditton Children’s creativity is extended by the provision of support for their curiosity, exploration and play. Children are provided with opportunities to explore and share their thoughts, ideas and feelings, through a variety of art, music, movement, dance, imaginative and role play activities.
Key Stage 1
The Arts are a foundation subject in the National Curriculum. The general requirements are set out in the National Curriculum and pupils are taught:
- to use a range of materials creatively to design and make products
- to use drawing, painting and sculpture to develop and share their ideas, experiences and imagination
- to develop a wide range of art and design techniques in using colour, pattern, texture, line, shape, form and space
- about the work of a range of artists, craft makers and designers, describing differences and similarities between different practices and disciplines, and making their own work
Health And Safety
Children are taught to use materials, tools and equipment safely, in line with the school’s Health and Safety Policy. Health and safety awareness forms an integral part of the children’s learning. The use of tools and equipment will be closely supervised by staff. Protective clothing is used when necessary. Allergies are taken into consideration when using equipment and resources for example, play dough.
Equal Opportunities and Inclusion
In line with our Equal Opportunities Policy, we provide arts activities to all children regardless of gender, race or disability. The arts can be used to develop a child’s learning in any area of the curriculum especially for those with Special Educational Needs. We take account of the interests and concerns of boys and girls by using a range of activities and contexts for work and allowing a variety of interpretations and outcomes.