Art and Design
At Silver Springs, we believe that art stimulates creativity, imagination and inventiveness. Our progressive art and design curriculum gives our pupils the skills, concepts and knowledge necessary for them to express responses to ideas, experiences and emotions.
Art
We believe that every child is an artist, some just don’t realise it! Our job is to remove the inhibitions and fear that builds up as children grow and keep them in tune with the creativity they are born with.
So, we encourage every child to experiment, create, fail, succeed and get their hands dirty. Through discrete art and design lessons, we enable them to express themselves while they experience the joy of working together and the beauty of colour, form, light and materials.
We teach children about the work of famous artists, crafts people, designers and architects from around the world. We help children to understand how design affects their lives every day and the wider world as well as all the career opportunities it offers. We highlight the links to other subjects, for example history, religion, science and mathematics through cross-curricular art.
We learn how other cultures have inspired great artists, and have influenced all areas of design from fashion to architecture. Children learn the vocabulary of art and design through experiencing a broad range of disciplines. They learn to appreciate the creativity of others by fostering a sense of equality, celebrating effort and recognising their achievements.
Design & Technology
Design and Technology is an inspiring, thought-provoking and practical subject thoroughly enjoyed by our students. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts (DFE, 2013).
Design & Technology at Silver Springs Academy
The Design and Technology curriculum at Silver Springs is supported by projects on a page: A clear and comprehensive scheme that follows the National Curriculum. We follow the ‘Design, Make, Evaluate’ approach which encourages students to be continually reflective and experimental throughout their learning. At Silver Springs we strive to provide a personalised approach to education that best serves the individual needs of our students. With this in mind, projects are selected which aim to nurture student’s life skills. An emphasis on the design and preparation of healthy, balanced meals is provided in each key stage through our food technology curriculum.
The cross-curricular nature of Design and Technology offers a setting for the students to apply knowledge and skills linked to a number of other subjects. Students are taught to carry out detailed research, develop a thorough knowledge of which tools, equipment and materials to use to make products, think critically and above all, taught to work safely and hygienically. Underpinning our curriculum is the aim to provide inspiring, active and collaborative learning experiences that will prepare the students to take part in the development of tomorrows’ rapidly changing world.
Health and Safety
A crucial aspect of Design and Technology is to develop the student’s awareness of the need to work safely with due regard for the health and safety aspects. Demonstrations of how to use all equipment safely precedes all opportunities for students to practice skills and techniques. Such opportunities are completed under careful supervision and additional support is provided where necessary.
All staff are continually made aware of the need for vigilance with regards to health and safety. Should there be any doubt about how to work safely, advice is sought from the subject leader or head teacher and alternatives must be sough should any activity be deemed to pose significant risk.
Special Educational Needs
At Silver Springs staff have high expectation of all students. Lessons are planned for maximum inclusion to ensure that success in Design and Technology does not depend on academic ability. Teachers use appropriate differentiation to ensure all children are challenged at their own level. Within our Oasis provision, the school curriculum is further enhanced to support the student’s development of practical life skills, as well as nurturing their confidence and curiosity.
Assessment
Assessment focuses on the student’s ability to meet the lesson objectives. Lesson objectives link to the national curriculum and focus on appropriate use of tools, ability to deign for a purpose and evaluation of their own work. Each lesson, success criteria is shared with the students and they are encouraged to self-assess alongside their teachers. Projects on a page supports teachers in knowing what students should know at key stages. Year group aims are shared by the subject lead and are used to assess against for an end of year grade which is presented on the annual written report.