BRONTE SCHOOL

THE ARTS POLICY

Date Date reviewed Feb 2013

Signed (Mr Richard Dyson Headteacher)

Ratified by Proprietors

(Mr Peers Carter & Mrs Susan Carter)

Date of next review

Feb 2015

BRONTE SCHOOL THE ARTS POLICY

Introduction At Bronte School we feel it is important to provide the children with a broad and balanced curriculum in order to develop their strengths and talents and to produce confident, wellrounded pupils. As part of this curriculum breadth we are committed to providing a broad range of creative opportunities in the arts. Our definition of The Arts includes art and design, design technology, dance, music, drama and creative writing. We feel that the arts make a vital contribution to the education of the whole child both as subjects in their own right and as a way of enriching other areas of the curriculum. A handson approach in the arts suits many childrens learning style, fosters collaboration and teamwork, and encourages performance which in turn raises confidence and self-esteem. Learning in the arts can develop positive habits, for instance, learning an instrument by taking small steps and practising to improve being persistent is an important lifeskill. The arts develops creativity and critical thinking, (eg. to observe, interpret, see different perspectives, analyse) again important skills for life. Through offering a comprehensive arts curriculum to our children we are able to nurture their talents and interests which may otherwise have been left undiscovered. Aims & Objectives 1. At Bronte School we aim to ensure that all children experience the richness of a broad arts curriculum.

Objectives: To provide a minimum of 12% of curriculum time to the arts, including art and design, dance, drama, music, creative writing, at both Key Stage 1 and 2. To offer the opportunity for children to take part in Arts Award through the curriculum, extra-curricular activities, and through extended activities with parents / carers out of school. To provide a rich variety of regular opportunities in the arts. To provide a minimum of two extra-curricular clubs with an arts focus in Yrs 1 and 2. To provide a minimum of 3 extra-curricular clubs with an arts focus in Key Stage 2. We aim to ensure that all children have the opportunity to be inspired by the arts and achieve success through the arts.

2.

Objectives: To ensure targets for the arts are included in our school development plan and that all arts subjects have targets, aim high, and are monitored and reviewed in line with other curriculum areas.

To recruit high quality arts specialists as appropriate and work in partnership with professionals from other arts-based organisations. To provide children with opportunities to experience the work of professional artists through trips and visits and workshops (at least 3 times per Key Stage). To ensure arts resources are of good quality across the year groups. To have planned opportunities within the arts for students to know and celebrate a range of world cultures both locally, nationally and internationally. To ensure teachers and support staff have opportunities for professional development in the arts that inspires their own creativity, where appropriate. To explore innovative ways for children to express their ideas and work (eg. Performances / technology).

3. At Bronte School we aim to strengthen partnerships and build new partnerships which make the arts sustainable and bring benefit to children and the wider community. Objectives: To establish and build on existing partnerships. To plan programmes and events with other schools where appropriate. To provide opportunities for the wider community of the school to have access to our arts programme, eg. through performances, workshops, exhibitions, concerts, website etc. (at least one per term). 4. We aim to nurture artistic talent and develop the childrens lifeskills that arise from a successful arts education. Objectives: To provide opportunities for children to contribute to and influence the art provision. To provide children with opportunities that celebrate their achievements in the arts (eg. Arts Award / LAMDA). To provide the children with opportunities to create, develop and perform. Inclusion We teach The Arts to all children, whatever their ability and individual needs. The Arts form part of our school curriculum where we aim to provide a broad and balanced education for all our children. Our teachers provide learning opportunities that are matched to the needs of children with learning difficulties. We strive to meet the needs of all pupils with special educational needs, disabilities, special gifts and talents, and of those learning English as an additional language. We enable all pupils to have access to most elements that make up our Arts education, although some activities are provided by way of extra-curricular clubs and in these instances they are an opt-in addition to the main curriculum. Where children participate in activities outside the classroom (eg. a visit to an art gallery), we carry out a risk assessment beforehand, to ensure that the activity is safe and appropriate for the pupils.

Monitoring and Review The coordination and planning of The Arts curriculum is the responsibility of the Senior Leadership Team. They will: Produce an annual Improvement Plan which evaluates the developments made over the previous year in The Arts and indicates areas for further improvement. A copy of this is given to the Deputy Head, Headteacher and the Proprietors. The SLT enter appropriate pieces of work into competitions, oversee the running of Arts Award, and encourage performances and celebrations of achievement. The SLT ensure that a good standard is maintained in The Arts provision at Bronte.

This policy will be reviewed at least every two years.