Art

Vision  

 

At Fairmead, art is first and foremost a powerful means of expression and communication. Rooted in our Skills for Life curriculum, our vision is for every young person to explore art to express their thoughts, opinions, feelings and experiences. Through engagement with a wide range of media young people are provided with meaningful opportunities for self-expression, creativity and creating connections with others. 

 

We want our young people to experience the joy of exploring, creating and discovering through art. While young people are taken through planned learning experiences - guided by the EYFS Development Matters (securing foundational learning skills) & the National Curriculum programmes of study - the emphasis remains on the creative journey, with individual expression valued above fixed end results.  

 

Practice

 

Through supported experiences, we encourage our young people to build resilience and confidence as artists. They are encouraged to have high aspirations, recognises their achievements and see themselves as creative individuals whose ideas and contributions matter. Their artwork is shared and celebrated within the school community, fostering pride, self-esteem and a sense of belonging. 

 

During early phases of educational development, art is embedded within weekly provision and linked to shared class texts. Learning is enriched through sensory experiences, Attention Autism approaches and provision-based activities. Through these experiences young people are learning to communicate their preferences, make choices and express themselves. They are discovering and building upon their mark making skills, recognising that they can communicate meaning to others. Young people are developing their understanding of movement, colour and shape, while experimenting with a wide range of media and tools. 

 

Within the Life Skills curriculum, art is integrated through regular experiences linked to the termly Life Skills units. Through their art experiences young people learn to express their emotions, communicate ideas and work collaboratively. They will have an opportunity to use a focused media whilst incorporating a multi-media approach to suit the needs of the individual young people and their interests.  

 

As young people progress though their learning journey, they access weekly art lessons delivered through a two-year rolling programme. Over the course of a half term there is a clear focus on a specific culture and medium. Young people engage in a sequence of learning that includes investigating media and culture, skill development, planning, creating and reflecting on their own and others’ work.  

 

The Difference Art Makes 

 

Through their journey in art, young people develop curiosity about the world around them. Young people are encouraged to embrace new experiences, by exploring different media, techniques and cultural traditions. As reflective learners they develop the confidence to identify, understand and communicate their preferences, ideas and opinions. The opportunities provided by the art curriculum enable young people to discover talents, interests and possible future pathways. Art can support lifelong enjoyment, wellbeing or employment. 

 

Our art curriculum strengthens community through collaboration, shared creative and meaningful experiences that extend beyond Fairmead. Young people learn to be considerate, adaptable and supportive of others, developing a strong sense of belonging within school and an increased understanding of their place in the wider world.