Ambition and Access in Art & DT - Gray's Farm Primary Academy

Ambition and Access in Art & DT

Design Technology

At Gray's Farm Primary Academy our Design Technology Curriculum is based on the programmes of study outlined in the National Curriculum as well as the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework.

When approaching our projects, we adopt 5 stages where independence, creativity, safety and resilience are gently nurtured throughout each. The 5 stages we follow are:

  • Explore

  • Design

  • Make

  • Test and Evaluate

  • Improve

Children are taught the knowledge, understanding and skills needed throughout each of these stages by participating in a variety of creative and practical activities. All projects provide context within a variety of environments including; home, school, industry and the wider world. Contexts given enhance the children's engagement whilst giving purpose to their learning journey. 

Our topics are taught across a two year learning cycle. Click here to see the projects that we cover.

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Art

As noted in the National Curriculum, “art, craft and design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity.” At Gray’s Farm, we believe in this too. Art is taught by focusing on three areas every year: drawing, painting and sculpture. This ensures our children develop their skills each year, with the opportunity to continue practising skills from the previous year while developing a new aspect of it.

By the time children leave us, they will be confident in expressing themselves through art. They will be able to record their own ideas and observations. They will also be able to critique art, using the appropriate language.

In KS1, our children will be taught:

·         To use a range of materials

·         To develop their artistic techniques

·         About a range of artists, architects and designers in history

In KS2, our children will build upon this learning by:

·         Using sketchbooks to express themselves

·         Mastering their artistic techniques

·         About the cultural influence of art and artists.

Art Overview

 

SEND

Ambition – What are we aiming for children with SENs to achieve in this subject? 

Access – What amendments are made to the subject in order to help children with SENs to achieve?

Be ambitious of what our SEN children can achieve.  Art and DT are different ways for children to think and draw on all their learning from across the curriculum without having to use it in the traditional way.  SEN children historically can achieve and sometimes exceed their peers when completing Art & DT tasks.

  • A spiral curriculum (revisit and revise) - At the start of your lesson, you should revisit the vocabulary and key facts you have learnt. Reinforcing the expected outcome so they have a clear idea of their journey.

  • Pictorial guidance (where applicable) - enabling children to take responsibility for their own learning, building their confidence (not being held back by their ability to read and write).

  • Check in - Try to spend a few minutes with these children, discussing what they do understand and getting them to explain what they want to achieve by the end of their learning.  

  • Flexibility of extending time for children with SEN

  • Amending equipment used to enable full access to learning