The Marine
Curriculum

Art

Art lessons at Marine Academy Primary have undergone a radical change and are now explore even more amazing new areas.  Art lessons take different forms, depending on the medium being use, but each lesson gives the children increased knowledge and tests their understanding of the subject in a practical, creative manner, in order to become more competent, confident and motivated.

The curriculum is designed to foster and raise aspirations opening the children up to the potential of their artistic talent, a talent they very often might not even know they had within them! We at Marine Academy want children to enjoy having Art in their lives as not only a way of enjoyment, but also as a potential future career: the world needs sculptors and painters and in their lessons is where they can start to dream!

An Arts specialist leads the lessons at school and the knowledge they have allows children to feel their confidence grow and develop a sense of achievement when working, as they are guided in their successes and are always being extended or aided to achieve the best they can. Those children who might be reticent to join in - “I can’t draw. I’m rubbish.” -  can easily take part and feel a sense of achievement in lessons, particularly when they master something that they found tricky at the start. The lessons are progressive and cumulative, with success being at the heart of each one.

Success in Art can be internal, as well as practical, and takes different forms over the year. The children might be asked to show their work during a Starfish assembly, held in front of the whole school; they might gain recognition through getting a Head teacher prize, or get some dojo points, or maybe even have their work shared through our social media network. In school, they might have work displayed in class, or as part of a ‘Gallery’ session within their year group. If it is a competition – and there are many to take part in! – they might  win the chance to have a Christmas card made from their design or have their photograph go on to a National competition. The school is the proud bearer of the Artsmark Gold award, and is keen to improve on this even further. We will be starting the Art Award program for children, which encourages all children throughout the school to attempt new Art and consolidate skills in areas they already know.

We have held graffiti club at school, paper fun club, creative club, drawing club, as well as, on a yearly basis, having a whole school Arts week that draws together many different Artistic mediums and is proudly displayed throughout the Academy.

Children in our Reception classes develop a love of art through their imaginative play as well as through guided sessions. Children are encouraged not only to express themselves freely by using and exploring a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function but they are taught the skills which enable them to do this safely. For example, in Term 1 as part of their ‘Superhero Me’ topic children learn to paint in the style of Andy Warhol when they paint self-portraits; in Term 2 they learn how to correctly use watercolours, pastels and chalks as they paint planets and space scenes. In Term 4 as they look closely at animal patterns, they learn about the importance of thick and thin paintbrushes to create an effect. In Term 6, children are encouraged to create observational drawings, paintings, sculptures and use natural materials to create artwork in the style of Andy Goldsworthy. Throughout their Reception year, the curriculum provides children with the knowledge and skills about art which will enable them to begin Year One with the confidence required to embrace the fantastic learning opportunities to come.

Art encompasses many areas, and we at Marine Academy Primary want our children to be successful and have fun in all the disciplines taught. Whether it is drawing, sculpting, sewing, photography, painting, printing… there is an Art form for everyone!