Shammi Dhami I have been teaching at Mayflower since 2018. Currently, I teach Year 5, four days a week. I believe in a holistic approach to education and by improving educational outcomes, we can make a real difference and transform the lives of our children. I feel very fortunate to be part of the team that is passionate not just about the academic achievement but also about the wellbeing of our children. I am the lead for Arts at Mayflower and it is lovely to see children being enthusiastic and creative about Arts.
Outside of school, I love to go for long walks and find enjoyment in little things. It is amazing to see how art and nature are so closely connected.
Intent, Implementation and Impact
At Mayflower, it is our intention that Art will inspire pupils with a curiosity so they can produce creative and imaginative work. Children will become confident and proficient in a variety of techniques including drawing, painting, sculpting, as well as other craft skills like collage, printing and pattern making. They will also develop their knowledge of famous artists. They will develop their interest and curiosity about art and design through a series of lessons offering progression of skills and knowledge. It is our aim that the children will be able to demonstrate their skills in a variety of ways. The lessons will offer a chance to develop their emotional expression which will further enhance their personal, social, emotional and cultural development. To support the delivery of our curriculum we use the Kapow Primary Art and Design scheme which should enable our children to reach the end of Key Stage attainment targets in line with the National Curriculum. We chose Kapow Primary as it is a partner of Artsmark which further supports our ongoing Artsmark journey. One of the aims of using Kapow’s Primary scheme is to identify ways to adapt the curriculum to meet the specific needs of our children as we progress through the cycles.
Each lesson is very practical and encourages experimental and exploratory learning using sketchbooks to document their ideas. Lessons can be accessed by all pupils and there are opportunities to stretch children’s learning when required. Our curriculum is designed in such a way that children are involved in evaluation, dialogue and decision making about the quality of their outcomes and the improvements they need to make so they will be able to talk confidently about their own learning journey, have higher metacognitive skills and have a growing understanding of how to improve. With the implementation of Kapow Primary’s Art and design scheme, pupils should leave primary school equipped with a range of techniques and the confidence and creativity to form a strong foundation and readiness for the next stage in their Art and Design learning journey.
Assessment in Art takes place during lessons through feedback provided by staff. As per our feedback and marking policy, this is most effective during the lesson. Formal assessments are made at the end of each term, and these are submitted to the Head Teacher, determining attainment, progress, and the overall impact of the syllabus on all our children. They are measured against age-related expectations across the syllabus, using a 4-point system, as follows:
Working below Key Stage
Working Towards Age-Related Expectations
Working at Age-Related Expectations
Working at the Greater Depth Standard
Differentiation helps all teachers to ensure that the children’s needs are being met through lesson content that is matched to their needs. Adaptations are also made to ensure that our SEND children can gain access to all lessons, with a strong focus on disciplinary and substantive knowledge, as opposed to the literacy and numeracy skills we may expect of them to access it. In this way, low outcomes in literacy and numeracy do not have to equate to low outcomes in Art.
Golden Threads and Curriculum Enrichment
Art supports the 3-Golden Threads in many different ways, and we recognise the contribution it makes to the development of children’s character and worldview. The global goals provide a framework for the love, care and compassion we show to the planet and each other. Social Justice is about fairness in society. Talking about past and current designers and artists will give children the opportunity to question whether children and adults from all identity groups have the same rights, opportunities, access to resources and benefits. Outdoor learning is promoted through walks around our local area to gain ideas at the start of some projects and working with the local community. Visits from and visitors into school also enrich the delivery of the Art at Mayflower Primary School.
The Journey of the Child
Through carefully planned and progressive units that reference prior learning and prepare children for future learning, we can chart a child’s journey through our school from their entry in the Orchard, all the way through to the end of Year 6. Please tap on the following link to see how our children experience Art at Mayflower, and how this links together, helping them to develop and build upon prior knowledge and skills. Click here
Curriculum in Action
Talking about the curriculum is far less effective than actually seeing it in action. We love to capture our children’s engagement with Art, both in the classroom and our local area. For more information, please tap on the following link:
