National Curriculum

Part of being a Secondary Art & Design teacher is having a keen understanding of the national curriculum for Art & Design. As such, one of the tasks before I begin my PGCE is to do something creative with the national curriculum.

In response, I have made the opening paragraph into an illustration in the style of a comic.

Aims

The national curriculum for art and design aims to ensure that all pupils:

· § 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.

Attainment targets

By the end of key stage 3, pupils are expected to know, apply and understand the matters, skills and processes specified in the programme of study.

Subject content Key stage 3

Pupils should be taught to develop their creativity and ideas and increase proficiency in their execution. They should develop a critical understanding of artists, architects and designers, expressing reasoned judgements that can inform their own work.

Pupils should be taught:

· § to use a range of techniques to record their observations in sketchbooks, journals and other media as a basis for exploring their ideas

· § to use a range of techniques and media, including painting

· § to increase their proficiency in the handling of different materials

· § to analyse and evaluate their own work, and that of others, in order to strengthen the visual impact or applications of their work

· § about the history of art, craft, design and architecture, including periods, styles and major movements from ancient times up to the present day.