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Heads of Creative Arts Faculty are: Mrs Emma Tyson and Miss Karen Wyeth. All Pre-prep and most Lower school staff also teach the subjects of Art and Design Technology to our pupils.
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So many education based articles (written since 2000) discuss the many and varied reasons why Creative Arts are often the first thing to be lost off of the curriculum. One article written by ‘Secret Teacher’ talks about The Arts being sidelined onto the edge of the curriculum. (Link here).
The article identifies:
‘The trouble is that creativity, increased confidence, or a love of the arts aren’t easily measured through standardised tests, data analysis or league tables. Maybe that’s why, ultimately, certain subjects are sidelined.’ AND on the right, perhaps the most depressing quote I have seen in a while…
I know we will continue to fight hard for the importance of Creative Arts here at St Peter’s. The future is looking bright: This year’s timetable (2018-2019) now guarantees a minimum of 2 hours of Art or DT per week, every week. This is for all pupils aged 3-13. And what a fabulous curriculum the Faculty Team have written and built with colleagues! We would like more and more creative opportunities and will be looking at ways in which we can encourage more Creative Art opportunities in free time, prep, latestayers and throughout other curriculum areas. WHY?
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Creative Arts Faculty Vision Statement
Art
At St Peter’s, we believe that an important part of children’s development comes through play and being able to draw and paint what they see when perhaps they cannot express it in words. Regardless of their artistic ability, all children have the same opportunities to achieve in the subject. They are taught to be independent thinkers and, by being shown how certain materials work, they can make their own decisions for creative compositions.
The main aims of the department are to encourage children to explore and develop an idea, to be creative and to enjoy all aspects of the subject, which include drawing, painting, printing, 3-D work and collage. We aim to promote a high quality art and design education which should engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. Children are encouraged to collect and gather information in their sketchbook in order to help them explore an idea, and use that information to plan a composition for a piece of artwork. They will understand the importance of reflecting on the progress of their work and modifying it accordingly.
Design and Technology
Children are naturally creative and love to design and make. Design and Technology prepares pupils to participate in tomorrow’s rapidly changing technologies. Pupils learn to think creatively. By using their imagination, they design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values.
Pupils acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Design and Technology also provides opportunities for the development of personal skills such as coordination, dexterity, confidence and perseverance.
Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. Through Design and Technology, all pupils can become discriminating and informed users of products and become innovators. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.
Computer aided design and manufacture (CAD CAM) is now a fully integrated aspect of Design Technology. All pupils are taught to use the Techsoft 2D design computer program which they are then able to use in conjunction with various CAM machines, starting with the Cam Robo Cutting machines which we have in school. The same design program also runs more complex laser cutting machines and we run joint projects in conjunction with the local Senior schools our pupils move onto, in order for pupils to have experienced these processes.
Pupils in Years 7 and 8 also get the opportunity to work on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) projects which we enter through the Faraday Challenge. In this, small teams of pupils work on solving real life engineering problems, such as transporting a rocket across to a launch pad in order to send it up to Mars!
Food Technology
As part of their work with food, pupils should be taught how to cook and apply the principles of nutrition and healthy eating. Instilling a love of cooking in pupils will also open a door to one of the great expressions of human creativity. Learning how to cook is a crucial life skill that enables pupils to feed themselves and others affordably and well, now and in later life.
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Whole School Art events include:
Trinity Guildhall Art Award.
All pupils who have a particular interest in art get the opportunity to take part in the Trinity Guildhall Artawards . www.artsaward.org.uk.
These awards are designed to help pupils experience all the arts in more depth. They can begin their award with ‘Artaward Create’ in Year 1. In Year 3 they can work towards ‘Artaward Explore’ and from Year 5 pupils can work towards their Bronze award.
These groups run as after school activities. As pupils get older and are completing their Bronze award they work independently on their own personal creative aim.
Visiting Artists
For the past year St Peter’s has invited local artists to display their work in the main house reception area. The artists have also come into school to do some workshops with different pupils. This has been a great initiative and it has helped pupils to see the link between artists and the real world.
So far, we have displayed work by Hilary O’Dwyer, a mixed media print artist and Matt Harvey who specialises in portraits. Matt’s work is currently on display in the main house so please come along to see it if you haven’t yet had the chance to do so.
House Art Competition.
Each year the four houses compete in the house art competition. All pupils from Nursery to Year 8 can enter artwork to a set theme. The standard is always very impressive and pupils work exceptionally hard to come up with innovative compositions.
More opportunities and examples of Creative Arts at St Peter’s – can you spot your child’s work?
Please click on the link above to read about just a snippet of the Creative Art Opportunities.
L.Ball
