Art

Art at Gordonbrock is a vibrant and essential journey of self-discovery and creativity, where every child is empowered to explore their unique voice and imagination. Through diverse artistic experiences, we cultivate critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and cultural awareness, laying the foundation for lifelong innovation and a deep appreciation of the world’s rich tapestry of visual expression. We believe that every child is an artist, and our ambition is to ignite their passion, inspire fearless creativity, and foster the confidence to shape the future with their ideas and visions.

Every term has a new focus which is shared across the whole school from Early Years to Year 6, incorporating skills such as drawing, painting, printing, 3D model making/sculpture, textiles and collage.

Our curriculum is structured to provide a comprehensive and diverse art education throughout the academic year:

• Autumn Term: The curriculum emphasises drawing and painting techniques, with a focus on portraits, still-life compositions, and landscape art
• Spring Term: Pupils engage in print-making, three-dimensional model-making, sculpture, textile work, and collage techniques
• Summer Term: We implement themed projects, often inspired by specific artworks or renowned artists. These include: Participation in the National Gallery’s ‘Take One Picture’ initiative and custom-designed ‘Take One’ projects: ‘Take One Artist’: Featuring Yayoi Kusama, ‘Take One Book’: Inspired by Mark Janssen’s illustrated work, “Dreamer” and, most recently, ‘Take One Building’: Examining architecture as an art form

Additionally, we maintain strong connections with local artists to enrich our pupils’ artistic experiences and provide real-world context to their studies.

This curriculum is designed to expose pupils to a wide range of artistic mediums, techniques, and inspirations, fostering creativity and critical thinking throughout their educational journey.

We place a strong emphasis on nurturing artistic skills and fostering creative expression from an early age.

In the formative years of Early Years and Key Stage 1, our curriculum ensures daily exposure to a variety of artistic activities. Pupils are given ample opportunities to engage in drawing, painting, collage creation, and construction projects. To support these endeavors, we provide a wide array of resources, allowing young learners to explore different mediums and techniques, thereby laying a strong foundation for their artistic development.

Pupils from Year 2 onwards are provided with high-quality sketchbooks, which serve as personal repositories for their emotional responses to art and as a chronicle of their developing artistic abilities. These sketchbooks play a crucial role in documenting each pupil’s unique journey through the visual arts.

At Gordonbrock, we take immense pride in the artistic accomplishments of our pupils. Their creativity and skill are prominently showcased throughout our school environment. Visitors to our school will encounter numerous art-focused displays and exhibits that adorn our hallways and common areas. These displays not only celebrate the achievements of our young artists but also create an inspiring atmosphere that encourages further artistic exploration and appreciation.

We warmly invite all visitors to take the time to explore our school premises and experience the wealth of creativity on display. This commitment to showcasing pupils’ art underscores our belief in the importance of visual arts education and serves to motivate and inspire our entire school community.

Charlotte Bradbury, Art Subject Leader