Newton Prep

Art, craft and design offer experiences, ways of learning and forms of communication that differ from other areas of the curriculum. The subject helps stimulate children’s creativity and imagination. It allows children to form their own personal response to the world around them, by expressing and communicating their ideas, feelings and experiences in visual form. We believe that Art helps to develop the quality of children’s learning - their ability to think, perceive, make decisions, articulate their thoughts and feelings, develop ideas and work through problems. Above all we believe that art should be fun. We endeavour to develop children’s self esteem and confidence through art by fostering a positive attitude to the subject and by laying good foundations for further education, interest and enjoyment of art.

Newton Prep has two new purpose built art studios which are extremely spacious and very well equipped. We have a large kiln and offer all forms of sculpture and ceramics, textiles and printmaking. We pride ourselves on the quality and diversity of the work the children produce and on the confidence and enjoyment the children take in their work.

We aim to provide a balanced programme of art, craft and design activities which build upon previous experience and introduce new skills at appropriate stages of children’s development.

We aim to develop children’s understanding of the basic elements of art and design (line, tone, colour, pattern, texture, shape, form, space) and their ability to use materials and processes to communicate ideas, feelings and meanings. We help children to develop a knowledge and appreciation of a wide range of art, craft and design in its historical and cultural context and encourage pupils to use this knowledge to inform their own work. The art curriculum is taught through an exciting mix of varied projects, encompassing a very wide range of processes, skills and experiences, both 2D and 3D. Children are helped to make links between their own work and that of other artists, and are encouraged to evaluate and reflect on their own work and progress through shared discussion. Regular trips, which are always planned as part of a structured programme of work, include The Tate Modern, The Courtauld Gallery, The National Portrait Gallery and The Natural History Museum.

In the Foundation years, art forms an essential means of expression and is interwoven throughout the child’s day. In Keystage 1, the children visit the art studios on a rotation basis, spending roughly half of their timetabled provision for art with a specialist art teacher in the studios, and half with their class teacher in their classroom. In Years 3-8 the children are taught in the art studios by specialist art teachers. In addition to this a variety of Art Clubs are offered. We also make special provision for our most able pupils. This can take the form of directed work outside school, reviewing and encouraging work produced through personal practice and extra art tuition given every week to selected high ability children from Year 5 upwards.

At Newton Prep the entire school is filled with lively, colourful displays that celebrate our pupils’ achievements and add greatly to the warm, caring atmosphere of the school. By the end of key stage two, most of our pupils are achieving well above National Curriculum level descriptions for their age in art. Our most able students are helped to prepare outstanding portfolios and regularly win art scholarships to popular senior schools. We have developed a reputation for art, of which we are justly proud.

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