Art and Design at Primrose Hill

Intent:

Our art and design curriculum challenges and inspires children whilst equipping them with the skills and techniques needed to experiment, craft and innovate. As pupils progress through school, our curriculum promotes a deeper understanding and evaluation of a range of artists and work created. During their school career, our pupils develop their skills as drawers, painters, sculptors, and printmakers. These ensure our pupils are equipped with the essential skill set they need as they transfer to KS3 and continue their art education journey. 

At Primrose Hill our art lessons are high-quality and ensure all children develop their imaginative and creative thinking skills. They become fully immersed in the wider world and develop a good awareness of different cultures. Our children develop a greater understanding of their own British culture and history of which they are now an important part. Our art curriculum helps our children develop their own understanding of emotions and those of others and gives them a safe environment in which to explore these. We ensure our children develop their self-confidence and resilience through sketchbook work. This gives them lots of opportunities to practice and be resourceful and to find different ways and techniques to create their work.

Our key substantive knowledge strands are: 

• Practical Knowledge (1. Media and materials; 2. Methods and Techniques; 3. Formal Elements of Art and the Principles of Art; 4. Technical Language; 5. Specialism)

• Theoretical Knowledge (The breadth of art and it’s narrative through history)

These are an integral part of our curriculum. At Primrose Hill we want our children to get better at art. We want our children to become fluent in the specialisms we have chosen, we want our children to be confident to try out ideas, methods and techniques and the ultimate aim is to ensure our children become authentic by being able to demonstrate their skills and knowledge. 

Through high quality lessons and enrichment in KS2, we aim to develop essential characteristics of artists and give them further opportunity to express their artistic skills through practical knowledge.

We aim for all children to develop art skills, construct knowledge and cultivate positive values and attitudes towards the subject. Gaining delight, enjoyment and satisfaction through the participation of art activities and pursuing a lifelong interest in the arts is our main aim.

Owlcotes Elements - An Appreciation of Art

During their time at Primrose Hill, we want our pupils to develop their love of art and their appreciation of art. This includes appreciating their own artwork and that of famous artists. Planned artist studies and Artist of the Month support this.

All children throughout school are given the opportunity to have their artwork displayed in their classrooms and in frames situated around school. 

Other planned opportunities to foster an appreciation of art include: producing galleries for parents and other members of the community, visits from artists who are invited into school to work with children, planned trips to art galleries and planned trips to see high school art exhibitions.

Artist of the Month

Artist of the Month has been designed to ensure pupils across school learn about great artists from a range of different backgrounds and cultures. Each month, a new artist is introduced. The artists have been carefully selected to ensure diversity across the curriculum. Pupils learn key facts and information and explore the work of the chosen artist. The elements of art become a key discussion point in these lessons.  

April’s Artist of the Month is: Leonid Afremov

Other exciting events:

Nicolas Dixon Mural at Pudsey Primrose Hill

We are delighted with our new art installation – a mural at the corner of the dining room doors which has been created with the internationally renowned artist Nicolas Dixon. Nicolas’ artwork can be found around Pudsey as well as Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Ibiza. At the start of this half term, children in years 3, 4 and 5 were asked to design a piece of art in the style of Nicolas
Dixon. Designs had to include things that are important to the children both at home and at school. Each class then voted for their winning design. The winning designs have been used this week as Nicolas has been working alongside some pupils from years 3, 4 and 5 to bring these winning designs to life. This is a very exciting project. We are thrilled that Nicolas is able to provide our pupils with a once in a lifetime opportunity! We are delighted that Primrose Hill is now part of the Nicolas Dixon Pudsey Art Trail! Look at the Artist Visit - Nicolas Dixon folder for photographs!

The World Reimagined Project

We are delighted to be part of the Leeds 2023 World Re-Imagined project which
involved a group of Year 5 children working together to create an art installation. The
globe has been designed along the theme of ‘Mother Africa’ which was provided by
Leeds 2023. Children chose different African countries to represent through their art, 
using flags and national symbols and patterns. This project has taken a long time
to create and the children involved have demonstrated their creative skills and talents
as well as determination and resilience. Lesley West unveiled the globe cut the
ribbon this morning in school, and the children involved talked to her about their
project. The globe now has pride of place in our art gallery area in school. Well
done to everyone involved.

Community Links 

A group of year 5 pupils visited the art department at Pudsey Grammar School. They had a tour of the department delivered by Miss Chappell and they joined in with a year 7 art lesson. This was an exciting opportunity for our pupils. We are looking forward to further developing our partnership with PGS over the coming months.

Year 6 Artist Visit 

To launch this half terms Art topic, children in year 6 took part in a virtual meeting with nature inspired artist Anjana Cawdell. Anjana is a painter who works with watercolours. She shared information about her background and how she became an artist and gave the children some top tips when using watercolours. Children have spent time in class developing their sketching and watercolour skills. Have a look on the year 6 class pages to see some of the artwork the children have produced. Thank you Anjana!