Art
The Hailey Hall Curriculum has a strong focus on achievement and within art as a subject all schemes of work are mapped against National Curriculum and AQA Exam board criteria, which offers a combination of artistic, academic, vocational and wider school activities inclusive of cross curricular opportunities with subjects such as science.
Pupils are challenged to strive for personal excellence. As importantly, the curriculum is also supplemented to develop individual social, emotional and mental health stability.
Art and design embodies some of the highest forms of human creativity. A high-quality art and design education should engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own work. As pupils progress, they should be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design. They should know how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation.
Learning about art helps pupils from all backgrounds to make sense of the world around them. It engenders mutual respect and tolerance through exposure to different artists, cultures and ideas. This knowledge supports pupils in developing their visual literacy and confidence and enables the production of personal and informed research, leading to well developed and refined practical outcomes. When techniques and themes are taught, they are linked to the work of notable artists and relevant cultures, allowing pupils to be influenced by and become appreciative of their work and practice.
Visits to galleries, museums and other places of interest are encouraged to be undertaken independently outside of school to broaden pupil’s experiences, allowing them to engage first-hand with artwork while extending understanding and individual appreciation.
Art lessons promote the development of social soft skills, independent thinking, helping pupils as they move through the art program to become self-directed and motivate learners to develop, refine and express their ideas creatively and with confidence.
The curriculum aims to develop individuals holistically and so, to give them the necessary skills, qualifications and experiences to access further education, employment or training. Within the art curriculum program pupils will undertake an Art careers project to enable them to make links with possible future steps by investigating artist’s backgrounds from a range of artistic disciplines. This goal is underpinned by the need to develop resilience, tolerance and all-round personal well-being. There is an emphasis on the process of learning, developing a growth mindset and practical hands-on experience.