“confident to use creativity to communicate”

At William Gilbert Primary School and Nursery, Art and Design is an important part of the children’s entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum.

Art has the ability to transmit joy, transform sorrow, change minds and heal hearts. It is our wish through the implementation of our art curriculum that pupils will have the unique opportunity to experience the power of creativity that will last long after they have left William Gilbert.

Art, craft and design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity that transcends cultural boundaries. Our aim is for art and design to be taught as part of a rich and progressive curriculum, where we plan and sequence art lessons carefully to build upon previous learning, and secure new learning successfully. At the heart of our teaching in art and design is a desire to engage, inspire and challenge all pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. By creating a safe and nurturing environment, pupils are encouraged to take creative risks and to learn from the journey, rather than head towards a pre-defined end result.

As pupils progress, they should be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design. Through studying a diverse range of male and female artists, both great and contemporary, pupils will learn how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation.

At William Gilbert, we promote pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development through Art and Design in the following ways:

  • We recognise that children are naturally creative. We give pupils the freedom, materials and space to enable them to use their creativity and imagination to communicate their inner most feelings. Pupils engage with a range of works of art that develop their understanding and respect for, different people’s feelings and values.
  • Exploring and discussing work from a wide range of artists that cross cultural boundaries and across time, allows pupils to investigate how moral and ethical issues are portrayed in art.
  • We support pupils to work productively together when creating works of art. Pupils are taught to recognise how their art and the art of others can communicate with those viewing the work, having a powerful impact on the emotions of others in their community.
  • We foster an interest in artistic opportunities and develop pupil’s appreciation of the range of different cultures that influence artists. Pupils will be supported to have an understanding of how these influences have shaped their own heritage and that of others.

Our Art and Design curriculum encompasses the aims of the National Curriculum to ensure all pupils:

  • Produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences
  • Become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques
  • Evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design
  • Know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.

Artist of the month

Artist of the month is a competition that runs in school. Each month we look at a different artist and their work, children can then respond to this artist by either creating a picture, taking a photograph, writing a story, doing some research or a different response that inspires them. Mrs Britten our Art and Design subject lead shares the artist of the month via the school art notice board. The artist of the month winner will be announced in an assembly at the end of each month.  

To enter you need to respond to the artist however you choose. Put your entry into the basket next to the art cabinet next to the staff room or email it to enquiries@williamgilbertend.derbyshire.sch.uk with the title ‘Artist of the Month’.