2016-17 Art @ MG

Finally we're up to date and from now on we'll keep you posted about all things arty at MG in real time (although there will be some catching up from last half term!) We'll also try to be a little more judicious in our choice of photos so there aren'y QUITE so many to trawl through.

As you can tell from last year's retrospective (Past Adventures 1 - 15!) the children’s artwork is often linked to their half-termly Topics, reinforcing much of what they have been learning, visually. This is important for so many children, particularly those with English as an Additional Language.

Art provides visual, tactile and sensory experiences and a special way of understanding and responding to the world. It allows children to communicate what they see, feel and think through the use of colour, texture, form, pattern and different materials and techniques. 
We also believe that the Art experiences they are exposed to have a positive impact on other areas of the curriculum, including the core subjects.

The children have the opportunity to work in a variety of media (eg: pencil, pen, paint, charcoal, pastels, clay, fabric) while developing their skills as they explore different techniques (eg: sketching, collage, printing, model making)

All the children from Year 2 onwards have sketchbooks so they can practise and refine their skills, as well as record their observations and plan out their ideas for a piece of art.

Year 4 - researching and planning their Romero Britto inspired pictures.

 Year 2 practising still life and shading using hot and cold colours

We aim to ‘learn from the best’, by studying the styles and techniques of a variety of artists, architects and designers through the ages.

“I’ve made a Stickman collage using natural materials like Andy Goldsworthy but in the style of Matisse” – Theo Year 1

Yaer2 practising Van Gogh's techniques before painting 

their own version of his Starry Night picture

We are very fortunate to live in London, so as well as discussing different artists and their work in school we can also go and see the ‘real thing’. We have the William Morris Gallery on our doorstep and have teamed up with them on many interesting projects. We have also been involved in other local Art based projects such as St James Street project, the Walthamstow carnival and of course the E17 Arts Trail.

Over the course of their Mission Grove school career we ensure that the children visit a variety of galleries such as: The National Gallery, Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Two Temple Place, The National Portrait Gallery and The Coultauld Gallery. As a result they are exposed to a wealth of cultural experiences and get to see some of the most famous art works in the world which will hopefully inspire all our budding Leonardos!

As well as their Art lessons within the school day, the children have the opportunity to join a variety of afterschool Art clubs run by our team of enthusiastic, talented Teaching Assistants and a local artist. These further develop the children’s skills, enthusiasm, confidence and creativity.

During our Enrichment Hour we also offer the children a six week taster session of specific Art based activities such as: model making, clay work, sketching, cartoon drawing, photography, architecture, sewing, jewellery making, origami and knitting.

Finally we have an Arts Week in the Summer Term, when the children have an opportunity to be part of a whole school project. In the past this has been linked to the Walthamstow Arts Trail; producing Art to enhance the local area or around a specific theme such as ‘carnival’.

So we hope that you’d agree that our school really is an Art school!