Expressive Arts in LPS - Spring Term Monitoring

During Review Fortnight this term, the PVG and AoLE Leader monitored Expressive Arts in LPS by listening to learners, looking at the LPS website and looking at pupil’s work. 

We identified the following strengths related to our Action Plan:

The teaching and learning of Expressive Arts is continuing to be excellently linked to the LPS New Curriculum topics. All children in LPS are continuing to develop a wide variety of skills and understanding whilst expressing their creativity and expanding their thought and imagination. In Let’s Celebrate at the LPS Spring Festival, children designed and made Chinese lanterns. In Amazing Astronauts, children created images of what they imagined they might see through the porthole window of a rocket. They listened to Gustav Holst’s ‘The Planets’ and expressed how the music made them feel in words and through dance. In Roman Invasion, children used air-drying clay to create Celtic knots and Celtic shields. In LPS Market, children used air-drying clay to create jewellery for their market stall and they have made observational drawings of fruit and vegetables from Swansea Market. Children also acted out their own adverts to promote their market. In Inside Out, children drew silhouette portraits. In Abertawe Egyptology, children designed hieroglyphics to create messages. In Creative Cymru, children appraised movie soundtracks.

Progression can clearly been seen in Expressive Arts across the phases. In Foundation Phase, children’s drawing skills are experimental and children are beginning to develop observational drawing skills. In KS2, children are showing greater awareness with their observational drawing skills. When creating sculptures and 3D design, in Foundation Phase children are re-creating 3D forms of things they have seen and in KS2, children are making choices about materials and techniques used to work in 3D. In Foundation Phase, children are expressing basic opinions about music and in KS2, children are recognising musical elements and evaluating pieces of music.

A positive addition to LPS this year has been the LPS Creative Journal. Creativity in children is associated with focus, independence, a willingness to explore and development of skill. The creative journal is being used well for mark-making and trying various techniques, creating initial designs for 2D and 3D work, working in the style of artists and designing posters. 

Our next steps are:

To continue to review new projects throughout the school to ensure progression and coverage of the Expressive Arts Statements of What Matters.

To use the Expressive Arts Progression Model to effectivity monitor progression in Expressive Arts across LPS.

To work collaboratively with Mrs Rachel Tregembo, the head of Expressive Arts in Pontarddulais Comprehensive, to provide drama workshops and resources for KS2.