Art & Design

Art and Design Overview

Intent

Our Art Curriculum places an emphasis on the importance of making art (perceiving and exploring the visual world) and responding to art (looking at and responding to the visual world). It enables learners to organise and express ideas, feelings and experiences in visual, tangible form, and can help some learners to express imaginary ideas. For all learners this area of the curriculum affords endless opportunities for sensory and creative exploration, using a wide variety of stimulating materials at both a visual and tactile level.

The curriculum at Hope School emphasises creativity, inclusivity, and adaptive teaching, ensuring that our learners can engage meaningfully with art and design while developing their motor, social, and emotional skills. The Intent is to provide learners with a structured and supportive environment to express creativity and gain confidence through art and design activities.

The Art curriculum aims to foster creative expression. This allows learners to explore various forms of art and design as a means of personal expression, communication, and emotional release.

The Art curriculum promotes sensory exploration enabling learners to engage with a variety of sensory experiences through different materials and techniques whilst helping them build sensory awareness.

The Art curriculum supports cognitive development. This encourages problem-solving, attention to detail, and critical thinking skills through visual and hands-on learning, as well as enhancing motor skills through the manipulation of art materials and tools.

Here at Hope School and College we encourage cultivated inclusion and social interaction. We use collaborative art projects and group activities to promote teamwork and social interaction across all Key stages.

Underpinning our curriculum are our three core values of Achievement, Equality and Independence.

Implementation

Our Art and Design Curriculum is delivered through a wide range of topics and themes and is adapted to individual needs. It provides a flexible learning environment that accommodates diverse needs, abilities, and learning styles, using differentiated instructions. The curriculum is designed to support and ensure that all learners, regardless of ability, can explore and develop their artistic skills in a safe and nurturing environment. Hope School is an ‘Arts Mark’ school
Displays and Projects: Art and Design displays will be present throughout school.Displays will reflect the sense of pride in artwork and celebrate achievements. Teachers ensure their classrooms are visually stimulating and creative environments, which celebrate the process of learning, practicing and developing skills in art lessons. The Arts team promote termly competitions to help with team building and staff morale this includes e.g. classroom door competitions, pumpkin carving and Christmas Card crafts.

Arts Week: At Hope school we have an annual Arts week. The Arts week is themed each year and is timetabled for the whole school to attend and experience. During this week classes from EYS to FEU have the opportunity to work with external agencies such as musicians, dancers/performers, artists and so much more. We at Hope are lucky enough to have extremely creative staff who also have additional skills and hobbies that are taught to our learners, these include: floristry, photography and pottery. Art’s week is celebrated by the school coming together to share and celebrate experiences and opportunities they have had during the week.

We use Art and Design to promote learning across many areas of our curriculum including:
• The application of basic skills (Literacy and Mathematics)
• The use of computing to explore digital art/design
• Developing receptive and expressive communication
• Learning about artists and designers from the past and present.
• Learning through music and technology from the past and present as source of evidence.
• Developing an understanding of the wilder world, cultures, countries and religions through art/design and symbols.

Art & Design Curriculum Enrichments:
• Arts week
• Seasonal Enrichment activities – Christmas/Easter/Halloween/Valentine’s/bonfire night
• Christmas markets/Easter market/summer fair.
• Senior/Primary shows.
• Wigan music services
• 1:1 music tuition
• KS3 Creative lunch time clubs.
• Young voices/choir after school clubs.
• WOW’s Expressive art / music
• Senior garden competition
• School open evening and BBQ
• Mainstream links
• Community assemblies
• Classroom door competitions throughout the year
• Sharing work via class dojo
• Visits from external agencies – pottery, mural artists, glow party, African drumming.
• Staff have access to each other’s planning to share and amend good practice.

Impact

The impact of the Art and Design curriculum is measurable in the following ways through our curriculum pathways:

• Increased engagement and motivation in Art and Design activities
• Development of skills
• Increased self-confidence: Learners will experience a sense of achievement and pride in their artwork, leading to improved self-esteem and self-worth. Classroom displays promote this around school, classroom doors and corridors.
• Enhanced communication skills: Art offers an alternative means of communication, allowing learners who may struggle with verbal expression to convey thoughts and emotions visually.
• Development of life skills: Learners will not only learn technical skills but also important soft skills like patience, persistence, and the ability to work independently or collaboratively.
• Improved social interactions: By participating in group activities and projects, learners will develop stronger social bonds and communication skills.
• Holistic development: The curriculum aims to support the learners’ emotional, cognitive, and physical growth, improving their overall well-being.
• Preparation for next steps including further educational, vocational opportunities and lifelong engagement with creativity and culture

Rationale

Supporting Emotional and Social Development

Art and Design Technology provides learners with opportunities for self-expression in ways that words may not always allow. This is particularly crucial for our learners.
• Self-Expression: Art and Design allows learners to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences visually, providing an outlet for emotions that may be difficult to articulate otherwise.
• Social Interaction: Collaborative projects and group work encourage teamwork, communication, and social skills. Learners learn how to work together, share ideas, and respect others’ creative processes, which is vital for building social relationships and community skills.
• Emotional Well-Being: Engaging in art and design can reduce stress, anxiety, and frustration. The process of creating allows learners to focus on something enjoyable and therapeutic, which aids in emotional regulation.

Cognitive Development and Problem-Solving Skills

Art and Design Technology encourages critical thinking and problem-solving, which are essential skills for our learners

• Creative Thinking: Art and Design fosters imagination, creativity, and innovation. Learners are often tasked with solving design problems or creating something from scratch, which requires them to think critically and creatively.
• Cognitive Skills: Activities like drawing, designing, and sculpting develop spatial awareness, hand-eye coordination, and the ability to plan and execute projects. These skills improve focus and concentration, which can transfer to other academic areas.
• Adapted Learning Methods: Through a hands-on, visual, and tactile approach, learners who might struggle with traditional learning methods can grasp concepts in a more concrete, engaging way. Art is often more accessible than abstract academic subjects, helping to bridge gaps in understanding.

Motor Skills and Physical Development

Art and Design offers a way to practice and develop fine and gross motor skills in a creative environment.
• Fine Motor Skills: Manipulating materials such as paintbrushes, scissors, clay, or digital tools improves hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and grip strength. These motor skills are transferable to everyday tasks, from writing to using technology.
• Gross Motor Skills: Some design activities (e.g., large-scale mural painting, clay sculpting, or building prototypes) allow for more physical engagement and strengthen large muscle groups, improving posture and physical coordination.

Sensory Development and Inclusion

Art and Design offers rich, sensory experiences that are not only engaging but also therapeutic.

• Tactile Exploration: Handling different textures, such as clay, fabrics, and paper, allows learners to develop tactile awareness. For learners with sensory processing issues, such tactile activities can be both calming and stimulating in a controlled way.
• Visual and Auditory Stimulation: Art and Design activities can be tailored to meet sensory needs, such as providing calming lighting, using colored lights, and playing soothing music, which helps learners with sensory sensitivities feel comfortable and engaged.
• Inclusive and Adapted Materials: Art and Design allows for inclusive teaching, where materials can be adapted for all learners. For example, using larger brushes for learners with fine motor challenges or using visual instructions for learners with cognitive impairments ensures that every learner can participate meaningfully.

Cultivating a Sense of Achievement and Confidence

Art and Design Technology offers a non-judgmental, process-focused way to build self-esteem and personal achievement.

• Visible Progress: Completing a design project, whether it’s a painting, sculpture, or digital design, offers immediate, tangible results that learners can be proud of. This sense of achievement boosts confidence and fosters a positive self-image.
• Personalized Success: Art and Design is inherently flexible, allowing learners to work at their own pace. This means that success is defined not by a standard test but by personal growth and effort, ensuring that all learners can achieve in their own way.

Engaging with Technology and Innovation

In today’s world, design technology is increasingly integrated with digital tools.

• Digital Design: Tools like graphic design software, digital drawing, 3D modeling, or even video editing can be adapted for learners with disabilities, providing access to fields they might otherwise be excluded from.
• Assistive Technology: Software and devices (such as tablets, screen readers, or voice-to-text technology) can support learners with motor impairments or learning difficulties, enabling them to engage in art and design projects without barriers.
• Skills for the Future: Exposure to design technology prepares learners for the evolving digital landscape, offering them skills that are valuable both in education and in future careers.
Enhancing Creativity and Innovation in Diverse Ways

Art and Design Technology ensures that all learners can participate in the creative process.

• Multiple Pathways to Success: Whether through visual design, music composition, sculpture, or digital art, Art and Design offers different pathways for learners to express themselves and demonstrate their talents.
• Cultural Awareness: Art and Design Technology can also be used as a means of cultural exploration, helping learners learn about diverse cultures, traditions, and artistic practices. This builds global awareness and empathy.

Art and Design at Hope School and College

Art & Design in our Complex Learning Pathway

Art and Design is taught through a fully sensory and experiential approach. Activities are designed to stimulate the senses and encourage interaction, using lights, sounds, textures, and movement. Learning is often delivered on a one-to-one basis, with high levels of support, and closely integrated with physical and sensory therapies. The focus is on engagement, communication, and building trust, with creative experiences adapted to each learner’s physical and cognitive needs. The process, rather than the product, is at the heart of the learning experience. Art and Design is delivered through our Engagement Curriculum, Attending column an is assessed using cognition and learning in the Engagement Steps assessment framework.

Art & Design in our Formal Pathway

Art and Design for formal learners is delivered through a more structured curriculum that closely aligns with national curriculum. Lessons focus on developing technical skills, creative thinking, and art appreciation, using a range of materials and techniques. Learners are encouraged to plan, experiment, and reflect on their work. For semi-formal learners, teaching remains supportive, using visual prompts, scaffolding, and differentiated instruction to ensure accessibility and success for all learners. Learners working on the Formal pathway will work towards Accreditations through ASDAN and Open awards. Art and Design is delivered through the National Curriculum and is assessed Progression Steps 3+.