Arts Policy

This policy should be read in conjunction with general policy statements, policy statements and action plans for individual subject areas.

Rationale

The arts play an important role in the education of all our children. At Spring Bank the arts foster imagination and creativity, promote intellectual and aesthetic development, develop practical and perceptual skills, encourage the explorations of values and promote excellence and enjoyment.

The arts encompass art and design, music, dance, drama, literature (poetry and script writing) also media studies.

Aims

Through the teaching of arts we aim:

*  to promote personal, social, physical and cognitive development
*  to develop confidence and self esteem
*  to ensure that all our pupils have access to the arts curriculum
*  promote an awareness of our diverse cultural heritage
*  provide enjoyable learning experiences which value first hand experiences
*  maximise the expertise of specialist teachers and visiting artists.

Content

This policy is related to the National Curriculum’s programmes of study for the arts subjects. It covers outcomes using materials, techniques, skills and media usage, expressing feelings, ideas, developing thoughts and solutions also evaluating and appreciating. Learning experiences will in many cases be cross curricular promoting excellence and enjoyment. The arts will provide all our pupils with the opportunities to learn skills and knowledge, explore/express their feelings and evaluate and appreciate their own and others work.

Time

Art & Design

Foundation – Daily
50 minutes in KS1
50 minutes in KS2

Music

Foundation – Daily
30 minutes in KS1
40 minutes in KS2

PE

120 minutes in KS1
120 minutes in KS2

Drama (including Circle Time)

Foundation – daily
Cross curricular
1 hour plus in KS1
1 hour plus in KS2

As we move further towards a cross curricular approach and re-model the curriculum the arts will also be used as a tool to explore other curriculum areas.

In addition, time is allocated over the school year to specific events like Harmony Week, Black History Month, Health & Sports Week, class assemblies and school productions when pupils experience a wealth of timetabled arts experiences.

Out Of Hours Learning Opportunities

We offer a range of extra-curricular learning opportunities during lunch times and after school.

Key Stage 1

Lunch time art club Y5/6 paired with KS1 children. To start in half term 2.

Key Stage 2

Over the past 2-3 years we have run the following:

Drama Clubs, Music Club, Singing Group, Band, Guitar Club, Dance Club, Wake Up Shake Up Club, Christmas Arts Club, Pottery Club. In addition Children in KS2 have the opportunity to receive individual instrument tuition.

Teaching & Learning

Our approaches are many and varied and becoming far more cross-curricular. These may include whole class, individual or small group work, teacher directed activities, sketchbook work, outdoor work, visits to galleries, trips, contact with performers and artists.

Pupils are given opportunities to initiate, plan, develop, present and evaluate their own work, work on collaborative activities, including whole school initiatives so encouraging unity and partnership e.g. key stage murals, Christmas productions.

Pupils are encouraged to learn, understand and use appropriate vocabulary, terminology and symbols appropriate to the arts.

Skills are acquired in classroom teaching and developed through cross-curricular activities e.g. dance skills taught in lesson time could be used to express feeling and emotions about a character in history or literature.

Our pupils are able to extend learning and develop interests through study support activities. This will include input from outside agencies such as music suppot services, theatre groups, music groups and dance specialists. Pupils are given opportunities to take part in artist led activities.

Pupils of all abilities are encouraged to present aspects of their work and achievememts in arts through participating in concerts e.g. town hall festival concert, workshops, competitions, assemblies and productions. Opportunities are given for children to share cultural experiences and whenever possible parents are invited along. Through arts we aim to establish links with the local community. Those children identified as talented in the arts will be encouraged to participate in arts opportunities especially those related to a particular talent.

Support For Learning

Reflecting our belief in inclusion we ensure that all our pupils have access to the arts curriculum. Support staff are involved in supporting pupils with specific needs.

Assessment

Evidence for assessment comes from investigations, performances, teacher observations, questioning, work sampling and self and peer evaluation. Attainment targets and levels of expectation will determine individual achievement. Pupils from Year 2 upwards each have a sketch book which they keep with them throughout school as a record of their progress and development in art.

Arts Staff

All staff are involved in delivering the arts.

Responsibilites: -

Helen Mills – Music Co-ordinater
Jan Sanders – Art & PE
Jo Ward – Literacy
Becky Milburn (learning mentor) – Circle Time

Arts Facilities

Each arts subject has access to a wide range of resources. These include ICT, specialist materials and equipment for class use. We have lovely school grounds which we use for art. Over the past few years we have worked with Karen Babayan ( artist and parent) to produce a KS2 mural also Glynis Dixon, (teaching assistant and specialist art teacher) to create a KS1 mural. Both works of art are on permanent display.

Jan Sanders 2009