Our Vision for Art & Design
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life” – Picasso
At Cranford Park CE Primary School, all children are artists, feeling empowered to express their feelings and imagination with confidence through a variety of media using different art techniques and skills. As a Church school, we recognise the spiritual and therapeutic power of art, both in its creation and in responding to it. Art has the power to transform, to illuminate, to educate, inspire and motivate. When engaged in art activities, children feel a sense of purpose, excitement and creative freedom. Our approach to art at Cranford Park enthuses both children and staff.
Our high-quality Art and Design education engages, inspires and challenges pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works. We strive for the highest standards, achieved through the weaving of creative experiences through all areas of the curriculum and beyond in addition to our high-quality teaching of specific skills. Emphasis is on the use of first-hand experience, experimentation and development of ideas and skills based on a wide range of stimuli. Our curriculum ensures a progression in the full range of knowledge and skills needed by the children, thus promoting breadth and balance in their work. As pupils progress, they are able to think increasingly critically and develop a more rigorous understanding. They build on skills and knowledge as they progress, listening to specific feedback from peers and adults to support them in deepening understanding. In addition, children are encouraged to explore processes in their own unique way so that the curriculum meets their individual needs and interests, leading to exciting art, craft and design opportunities within any overall thematic approach.
Children learn about a diverse range of artists and sculptors throughout the years, both within their art & design curriculum and in the wider opportunities extended to them to further enhance cultural capital. For example, assemblies explore the creativity of artists around the world; book week provides opportunities to explore illustrators from ethnic minorities. Children are encouraged to see art & design opportunities in anything, from sand sculpture and food, to creations with nature and ice. They gain an understanding of how Art and Design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation.
We recognise that art, craft and design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. Cranford Park children can communicate what they see, feel and think through their use of colour, texture, form, pattern and use of different materials and processes. Our art, craft and design activities provide visual, tactile and sensory experiences and engage children in a special way of understanding and responding to the world. Children are able to immerse themselves in a variety of mediums. Each child has a sketch book, which is used as a tool to explore art skills and processes which are then applied to larger pieces. Sketch books reflect their journey to become good artists, experimenting, imagining, creating, exploring and not being afraid to adapt and take risks.
Our children take pride in seeing their art, craft or design work on display throughout the year, including at an annual Art week and Arts Festival. Whole-school activities throughout the year reflect our Christian or worldwide themes and engage extended families in art & design projects. In addition, children actively take part in local art competitions, community workshops and shared enrichment days, giving them opportunities to work with others in the wider community.