Art is everywhere at Fairfield! A walk around the school and classrooms will show lots of evidence of the creativity of Fairfield pupils. Our large outdoor installations have become firm favourites.
Art offers opportunities to stimulate children’s creativity and imagination by providing visual, tactile, and sensory experiences. It enables children to communicate their thoughts and feelings through use of –
- Line
- Colour
- Form
- Pattern
- Texture
and the use of different materials, media and processes.
Each year group covers a range of skills and techniques including drawing, painting, printing, collage, textiles, sculpture and ICT. We are very lucky at Fairfield to have a kiln so the children also have opportunities to make ceramics.
Starting in the Foundation Stage, through an exciting and hands on approach, the Reception children explore colour, texture, shape, form and space in 2 and 3 dimensions.
In Key Stage 1, the Year 1 and 2 children build on their previous experiences and gain further skills working on projects that link to their investigative creative curriculum projects. These also introduce concepts and techniques and provide a chance for practise before making an individual response. The children are encouraged to express their opinions and evaluate their own and others work
In Key Stage 2, each year group works on art activities with strong links to their creative curriculum geography or history topics. These are a wonderful way to include art from other countries and cultures as well as further developing their skills, knowledge and understanding. They gain confidence in their ability to make informed choices and adapt and refine their work as it progresses.
The appreciation and enjoyment of the visual arts encircles and enriches all our lives. At Fairfield we aim to foster an enquiring mind about images and artefacts through involvement in a range of explorations and discussions and where possible through visits. We provide lots of opportunity for children to see and examine real artefacts and the school has built up a large resource of art works and sculptures. As children progress they develop confidence in recognising materials, shapes and form. They can make connections from their own experiences and express opinions on meaning. They are fascinated by the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of the artists’ processes.
Other opportunities
Children at Fairfield have the option to be involved in art activities through after school art clubs and holiday courses. Over the three terms there is opportunity for each Upper Prep Year group to sign up for an art club, working in smaller groups the children have access to techniques and media to complement their art lessons during school time.
Year 6 Art and DT Week
The Year 6 children look forward to their special week in the summer term where they can enjoy working for longer periods of time on a range of art activities. They also work collaboratively to produce some large pieces of art. These are ‘left behind’ when the children move on to their senior schools enhancing our school environment (both inside and out) for the benefit of the whole school community.