Arts and Technologies Curriculum Intent

At Kenwood School we truly believe ‘Art makes children powerful’. Our mission is to support young people to deepen their engagement with Arts and Technologies. We are a supportive and inclusive department with an emphasis on experimentation and personal discovery. We strive to make Arts and Technology an exciting journey, where all students can learn to enjoy the creative process. Our students work towards WJEC entry-level awards and Arts Award qualifications, which are nationally accredited and recognised in colleges and universities.

Through a culture of curiosity, we endeavour to develop:

• A critical and contextual awareness of different approaches within the Arts
• An understanding of the Arts as a means of communicating ideas and problem solving, communicating –visual and verbal
• Original thinking and authenticity 
• Collaboration
• An understanding of the role of process in the development of ideas
• An ability to respond creatively to a range of visual and theoretical proposals
• An understanding of a wide variety of practises and methods to develop their skill base
• A sense of ownership for their research and planning; developing time management skills and independence
• Evaluative and reflective skills to take responsibility for their own learning, decision making and problem solving
• Self confidence to be able to effectively present themselves and their work to appropriate audiences

Creativity is essential in a global economy that needs a workforce that is knowledgeable, imaginative and innovative. We ensure that students have opportunities to question, challenge and respond to the world and to learn how artists provoke change, challenge conventions and find meaning.

Studying Art and Technologies can help with understanding, interpreting and negotiating the complexities and diversity of society. Research shows that studying Arts subjects increases social mobility and through the Arts it becomes possible to transcend cultural boundaries, connecting our students to the wider world, themselves, and each other.

Our Arts and Technology education provides a valuable outlet for emotional expression. Creativity can improve health, wellbeing, and happiness. Our Arts curriculum encourages self-expression and creativity and aims to build confidence as well as a sense of individual identity. Studying the Arts provides the opportunity to develop metacognition skills, enabling our students to learn through mistakes, take risks, develop complex thinking, see the creative process as a journey and build resilience. Through Arts and Technology lessons, our students have opportunities for multi-sensory exploration and tactical encounters through experimentation of different materials.

We will engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art.

Our Aims:

• Understand, adapt and safely use appropriate practical methods and skills for creative production
• Critically review the effectiveness and appropriateness of methods and results
• Refine work through exploring and developing ideas through investigation
• Record ideas and observations and present a personal or meaningful response
• Evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of arts crafts design, music and drama
• Know about great artists, craft makers, designers, and understand cultural relevance of different art forms
• Have access to exciting trips and visits, with opportunities to visit a number of local and national galleries and museums linked to key themes of study, these trips help to inspire ideas and creativity and include Sheffield theatres, The Hepworth Gallery and Yorkshire Sculpture Park
• Build partnerships with local artists and practitioners, Sheffield theatres and Docfest,