We believe Art and Design stimulate creativity and imagination. It provides visual, tactile and sensory experiences and a unique way of understanding and responding to the world around us.
Year 3 class, working collaboratively to create a large sculptural form
Pupils at Hampden Gurney are encouraged to explore ideas and meanings in the work of artists, craftspeople and designers, learning about the diverse roles and functions of art, craft and design in contemporary life and in different times and cultures.
When teaching Art and Design, our aims are:
- to enable pupils to become visually literate: to use and understand art as a form of tactile communication
- to develop creative and technical skills so that ideas can be realised
- to develop pupils’ aesthetic sensibilities and enable them to make informed judgements about art
- to develop pupils’ design capability
- to have confidence and competence in reading and evaluating visual images and artefacts
- to develop pupils’ ability to articulate and communicate ideas, opinions and feelings about their own work, and that of others
As pupils progress through different topic areas, they have the opportunity to work independently as well as in collaboration with others. As well as creating individual masterpieces, pupils are also encouraged to comment on and suggest improvements to their own work, as well as that of others.
Art specialist
At Hampden Gurney, we are fortunate that we currently have a dedicated art teacher who works with pupils across Key Stage 2. Having an art specialist on-site has meant pupils have been able to gain in knowledge and experience from someone who has a real passion for the subject. Pupils have produced an increasingly wide range of excellent artwork using different materials and stimuli as starting points. Much of the work produced is displayed around the school or exhibited in the school’s annual art exhibition.
Local galleries
We are very fortunate living in the centre of London that we are so close to a range of museums and galleries. Pupils have taken part in a number of workshops at local galleries and exhibitions, enhancing art lessons at school.
Social Media
Work completed by the children is posted on Instagram. To view this page, please click on the icon.
Congratulations to Isabella N. in Year 6 for winning the Coronation Card Competition with her intricate drawing of the Coronation Crown. Isabella’s design has now been made into the card which will be posted by MP Nickie Aiken to Their Majesties The King and Queen Consort to wish them the very best on their Coronation on behalf of everyone across the City of London and Westminster. Although there can only be one winner, we are immensely proud of the creativity, skill and talent demonstrated by the Hampden Gurney children across all years. Well done everybody!
Back in 2019, Steve McQueen invited every Year 3 pupil in London to have their photograph taken by a team of specially trained Tate photographers. They included children from state primaries, independent schools, faith schools, special schools, pupil referral units and home-educated pupils. These class photos are brought together into a single large-scale installation, capturing tens of thousands of Year 3 pupils in a milestone year in their development.
“There’s an urgency to reflect on who we are and our future […] to have a visual reflection on the people who make this city work. I think it’s important and in some ways urgent.”
Steve McQueen
For the overview of our curriculum, see the subject map below: