Art at Holy Cross is taught by a specialist art teacher; the girls have a double lesson each week in the art room. Infant classes are supported by class teachers.

 

A wide range of materials and techniques are introduced to the girls from Reception age, to include drawing in a variety of media: oil and chalk pastels, collage, painting and printing. The girls also experience 3D materials with junk modelling, clay and mod-roc. Textiles, fashion drawing, cartoons and graphics give the girls some insight into art in the ‘outside’ commercial, wider world!

 

The classroom curriculum is extended by opportunities to experience visiting artist – illustrators, or visits to museums and galleries. This programme is being expanded for all year groups to enjoy.  

 

There are weekly art clubs for infant and junior girls as well as a dedicated pottery club.

 

The girls participate in the annual, national celebration of drawing in October, “The Big Draw”. They have been introduced to the concept of ‘drawing for drawing’s sake’ with various fun activities from pencil races, playing ‘Twister’ drawing and ‘blind’ drawing responding to music, as well as a whole school creative assembly producing a ‘Post-It Note’ gallery of work!

 

The subject naturally forms strong cross-curricular links with digital drawing in ICT lessons, as well as topic-based projects on the Romans, Greeks, Egyptians and Tudors in history.

 

The aim of art at Holy Cross is to encourage strong and confident expression, in a variety of media, to communicate ideas, feelings and experiences. In art there is no ‘wrong answer’!