Intent

At Riverley, we understand and appreciate how teaching art is a powerful tool in providing children with the skills they need to develop as creative and critical problem solvers. Through our explicit as well as integrated approach to the teaching of art, our curriculum ensures high quality engagement across all subjects.

In our Early Years Foundation Stage, our facilitators enable children to take their first steps towards self-expression by providing them with the motor, language and decision- making skills. This supports children’s ability to make connections between ideas and understand that their interpretations of the world hold value and importance. Through the use of a stimulating creative curriculum, we aim to ensure our children deepen their understanding of artistic theory and have wide opportunities to apply their skills during lessons that enrich their understanding of societal, historical and cultural contexts. As children develop their artistic skills, our facilitators design challenging projects where children develop their ability to organise their thoughts, analyse and interpret artist’s work as well as experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design.

At Riverley, our arts provision aims to give children opportunities to see their achievements celebrated and that collaboration between peers is valued. In this way, children are able to recognise how their own attitudes can affect those around them. We want to create a culture where children feel safe to ask questions, and have the tolerance and respect they need to form positive relationships as they learn from one another.

As children progress, they develop a more sophisticated understanding of art and design. It is our aim to ensure that our children understand the value and importance of Art as it both shapes and reflects our history and culture. Art is used as a tool to enrich the wider curriculum and is used as a stimulus for rich discussion across all our subjects.

Implementation

The Art curriculum is monitored by the subject lead to promote continuous improvement by reviewing, evaluating, sharing best practice as well as undertaking continuous professional development (CPD) to stay at the forefront of developments within the subject. Teachers are supported by the Art lead with the planning and delivery of an engaging curriculum.

Formative assessments are integrated into every day Art teaching to ensure teachers have an in-depth knowledge of the children’s prior learning and to inform their next steps. Summative assessments are utilised to anaylse gaps and inform next steps at the end of a unit of work. Teachers utilise Kapow Primary to enhance their skills to deliver the formal elements of art (line, shape, tone, texture, pattern) and design skills.

The Art curriculum is carefully planned to support the facilitation of learning experiences which embed the requirements of the National Curriculum. Facilitators plan lessons following the carefully designed progression of skills and medium term planning documents; these plans allow children to build upon prior knowledge as they discover each term’s stimulating topics. We spark our children’s curiosity by inspiring them with engaging topics and influential artists; children explore a balance of skills and knowledge in all their art lessons and have choice in how they would like to present their projects in their sketch books.

Our facilitators plan activities where children are encouraged to reflect on their prior learning and build on their skills in a sequential way. We focus on enriching children’s use of subject specific vocabulary so that they are able to articulate their ideas effectively. Our facilitators have the flexibility to create contexts where children can explore open ended tasks and have choice in how they would like to develop their skills. When children feel they need support they are provided with scaffolds which enable them to achieve the goals of the lesson, and when children feel confident to apply their skills they are provided with access to challenges which encourage them to dive deeper with learning.

Our facilitators are experienced at ensuring children have opportunities to reflect on their learning and identify how they can move their learning on. We encourage our children to see themselves as artists; plan their choices carefully and we teach them the importance of considering the effects their work can have on those who experience their artwork. In this way, children are able to understand the power of purposeful art pieces and how they can create change in the world.

At Riverley, our teaching staff are dedicated to ensuring children feel their outcomes are celebrated and honoured. Alongside the other schools in the Griffin Schools Trust, our children participate in our annual Griffin Arts Festival. During this festival, children share special experiences which aim to enrich the lives of children; children explore all genres of art and facilitators create exciting programmes for all children and the wider the community. Over the years, children have had access to free theatrical experiences, explored London’s most enthralling artistic exhibitions and have seen the impact of sharing their artwork with the wider community. In addition to the Griffin Arts Festival, children are taken on trips and virtual experiences which further enrich their artistic horizons. Riverley is also accredited by the Arts Council England for the Gold Artsmark Award, our involvement in this process has assured that we put art, culture and creativity at the heart of our curriculum and we are proud to be working towards the Platinum Artsmark Award.

Riverley is located in the heart of a bustling, diverse community. We strive to ensure our curriculum is inclusive of all our children’s identities and in doing so we are able to give children opportunities for their voices to be heard. We have selected feature artists who empower the children and our Pupil Leadership Team is involved in whole school decision making. In addition, we have family ambassadors who work alongside the school to support the enrichment of our art provision across the school year. For our SEND children, the arts play a key role in enriching their experiences of success and sense of wellbeing; our SEND children have opportunities to explore artistic mediums and creative projects in order to enrich their adapted curriculums.

We offer an extensive free clubs offer across the school, where facilitators have the freedom to bring simulating art subjects to life. Children are encouraged to get involved in after school activities such as sketching, origami, visual arts, jewellery design and textiles. For all our children, our clubs offer opportunities for us to nurture and develop talents.

Impact

Our children leave Riverley with a sense of belonging, championing our Riverley values of Creativity, Ambition, Responsibility and Empathy. Every child in our school will have maximised their opportunities to explore their creative skills in a safe, nurturing environment. Thus, leaving our school ready to apply their critical thinking skills effectively in all that they do. Our children have developed a love of learning and respect for their own learning journeys; ensuring that they have the drive they need to learn from challenges, the patience they need to persevere when faced with barriers and the ability use their voice to seek support from those around them when they need it.

Having been provided with a range artistic endeavours, children can express themselves with ease and confidence and are equipped with the tools to take their passion and confidence further. Every child will choose to use Art in a variety of ways, whether it be to create art, to replicate art, to be inspired to pursue art, to celebrate their hard work or understand the emotional impact of art. All children leave school being able to quote a wide range of artists, art movements, styles as well as with the ability to experiment and express themselves through art.

Our children understand that being an artist does not mean being an individual who can draw effortlessly or paint beautifully, instead, our children will know that being able to seek inspiration from the world, and use their thoughts to build new concepts and ideas, is what makes them creative individuals. Our dedication to providing ample opportunities for children to celebrate their creativity will enable them to feel secure when they turn their ideas into reality – providing them with the confidence they need to use such skills in all areas of learning outside of the classroom.

Every child will understand the power of their imagination and perceptions. Our curriculum is designed to nurture this power and give children what they need to create a brighter future for themselves; making valuable contributions to society.

Curriculum Documents