At Merstone School we value Art as an important part of the children’s entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum. Art provides the children with the opportunities to develop and extend skills and an opportunity to express their individual interests, thoughts and ideas. This gives our students a “voice.” Arts and crafts embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. A high quality art education 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. As pupils progress, they should be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art. They should also know how art reflects and shapes our history and contributes to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation. The national curriculum for art and design (which Merstone’s art curriculum is based on) aim to ensure that all children: · Produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences · Become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques · Evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design · Know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.