Art

At Webster we a have unique entitlement to learning across The Arts, built on a special relationship with Manchester Camerata, one of Europe’s leading Chamber Orchestras, and the work of visiting instrumental tutors and Artists in Education. We were awarded the Artsmark Platinum Award in March 2017 and again in 2021, this is a huge achievement for our school and recognises our focus on the arts as well as the contribution of all staff, pupils and visiting practitioners involved in our journey so far! We are currently working towards our reaccreditation.  

We had this feedback from Artsmark: 
"The panel commended your school's high ambitions for arts and culture and the strength of the partnerships you have developed. Your relationship with Camerata Music was highlighted and the panel look forward to seeing how you extend this ambassador model across other art forms. Your school has been awarded Artsmark Platinum. Congratulations!"                                                                                                                                                                                          Amanda Rigler, Senior Officer, Artsmark, Arts Council England, March 2017.

"Webster Primary's longstanding commitment to the Arts is reflected in its most recent phase of Artsmark work. During this period your school has re-evaluated its strategy documents and reaffirmed its strong commitment to arts rich education through fresh governor and senior leadership endorsement. You have also grown the skills and capacities of learner arts champions through your Arts Ambassador scheme. You are an outward facing school and work energetically with arts organisations and other schools to build strong arts practices. Visits from Swedish and Danish educators keen to learn about your approaches to the Curriculum speak to your position as an influencer in arts education. The quality of your provision and the strength of your partnerships is very well established."                                                       
                  Artsmark Assessors, Arts Council England, 1st October 2021

We have bespoke Art and Design schemes linked to our topic planning which have been trialled and improved over a number of years. Class teachers deliver regular art and design lessons using a range of 2D and 3D media, which are further enhanced by half day workshops led by visiting artists. In this way, we can ensure a fantastic breadth of experience and a clear progression of skills. Visiting artists in education work regularly with pupils and teachers, bringing specialist skills and experiences across a range of activities - such as cyanotype printing, handmade bookmaking, printmaking and many more, to enrich learning experience.

Our Art & Design curriculum is also used as a vehicle for developing children’s emotional intelligence by making and comparing creative responses to the world around them, and as a creative method of connecting pupils to wider contexts, such as history or geography.  We want to develop individuals who can express their emotions, explore their identity and communicate with others. To develop values of respect, empathy and gratitude through their learning in art. 

Creativity is the golden thread that runs through all our art schemes. Developing creative thinking will equip our pupils with the skills needed to adapt, innovate and succeed in an ever-changing world. 
Educational visits and workshops with a broad range of organisations are arranged to complement and enrich learning within art. Pupils also have access to a wide range of art-based after school clubs - many of them led by practitioners from Z-Arts in Hulme.

Age Related Expectations for Art