Subject Leader: Mrs E Burrell
I am a passionate EYFS teacher dedicated to nurturing creativity and artistic expression in children. I enjoy seeing how learning in art can foster an environment where children can explore their imaginations and engage in a wide range of artistic activities throughout school. Living in North Yorkshire, I have a deep appreciation for the talented artists in the region. My personal love for sheep and cows is reflected in my collection of Lucy Pittaway and Stacey Moore pieces. My own 16-month-old little boy has already embarked on his mark-making journey and I proudly display his masterpieces on the fridge and walls at home. I strongly believe that every child is an artist and I want to ensure that they develop with a sense of pride and accomplishment in their artistic creations.
As an artist myself, I continually develop my own artistic skills and I enjoy sharing this journey with the children. To enhance our curriculum, I actively seek support from talented artists within the school community, creating a collaborative and inspiring atmosphere for both teachers and pupils. I ensure that our curriculum draws inspiration from the local area and that we embrace the unique resources available. The discovery of Northallerton’s Secret Garden has sparked a drawing unit which allows children to connect with their surroundings. Utilising the outdoors as a canvas for artistic exploration provides children with a hands-on and immersive learning experience.
Creating a safe and inclusive learning environment is a priority for me, I strive to provide opportunities for all children to engage in art activities, regardless of their level of confidence. I foster a culture where every child is encouraged to have a go and feel proud of their own artistic creations. Recognising the therapeutic benefits of art, I am an advocate for the importance of mental health and wellbeing. Art can be utilised as a means of stress relief and self-expression by engaging in activities like mindful colouring, stone stacking and paint-filled balloon popping. By incorporating these practices into the classroom, we aim to provide children with tools to managing their mental health and wellbeing.
Intent
| Art Policies & Documents | Download |
| Art and Design Long-Term Plan | Download |
| Progression in Art and Design | Download |
| National Curriculum – Art and Design | Download |
Our Art & Design curriculum is structured in a mixture of half termly and termly units. We teach the equivalent of one lesson per week but the length and timings of the lessons vary based on the learning activities children are undertaking e.g. double sessions are often preferred when children are creating a piece of artwork as it gives them more time to utilise resources and develop their ideas. Art has no boundaries, which is why at Applegarth, we do not look for ‘perfect’ finished pieces of art. It is the ideas, development and the thinking behind the artwork which we celebrate.
Implementation
Children learn and develop a wide range of knowledge, skills, vocabulary and techniques within their Art and Design lessons. They learn about great artists, architects and designers in history and compare and evaluate different elements of their work. Using their knowledge and skills, children are encouraged to make their own artistic decisions fuelled by their ever-growing imaginations.
We believe that children should be able to express themselves creatively, which is why we provide our pupils with the opportunity to explore and experiment with a vast selection of resources. You can see children’s developing ideas and pieces of artwork in the sketch books that they keep throughout the school.
