Why do we teach Art and Design?

At Hawthorn Primary School we believe by delivering high quality, engaging and challenging art lessons, we will inspire our children to gain the knowledge and skills they need to experiment. In addition to this our children will gain confidence allowing them to create their own works of art, craft and design and progress successfully through the curriculum including self-reflection of their own individual work. As a school we celebrate creativity in art pieces with each piece of art being open to interpretation and viewed in many ways.

Individual creativity is a key factor in preparing our children to face the future with imagination, innovation, and to develop confidence in other subjects and life skills whilst having ownership and being proud of their own work. Making art enjoyable and motivating will help develop positive attitudes in school and life beyond school, providing the foundations for career pathways emerging from art and design, encouraging aspiring artists, designers, architects, and craft makers of the future. We believe art also benefits mental health and wellbeing. Working closely with our pastoral team we have found this particularly helps pupils to process feelings, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase self-esteem both inside and out of the classroom. It has an impact on brain wave patterns and emotions, the nervous system, and can raise serotonin levels. It also helps to aid concentration when the pupils are fully immersed in the process and enjoyment of the activity.

By studying the work of a range of great artists, architects and designers from the past and present children will understand how art can reflect our history, find deeper meanings behind artwork, have a greater understanding of different lives, respect cultures that are different from their own and enhancing their own personal well-being.

National Curriculum - Art and design key stages 1 to 2 (publishing.service.gov.uk)