Art & D.T.

Kate Chambré joined the Wetherby teaching team in September 2009, as Art Co-ordinator, school magazine editor and a Year 3 classroom assistant. Having graduated with a Master of Arts degree from the University of Edinburgh in 2002, she went on to work as a newspaper and magazine journalist for over 7 years in Ireland.
Kate's love of art stems back to her school days when she studied it as a subject for GCSE and A level. She later taught art at an all-girls secondary school in the Kenyan Rift Valley, and at a co-ed primary school in the heart of the Maasai Mara, also in Eastern Africa. There she learnt a valuable lesson that art transcends every conceivable barrier, as it simply speaks for itself.
In her spare time Kate draws and paints (predominantly in watercolour and oil) and keeps sketch book journals of her travels around the globe.

At Wetherby we encourage the boys to explore a wide range of ideas in art. They investigate and use a variety of materials and processes to communicate their ideas and meanings, and design and make images and artefacts. The boys are expected to comment on differences in others' work, and suggest ways of improving their own. The boys are given the opportunity to work in a relaxed and fun environment, where they can express their ideas and creativity.

Every boy in the school has 1 hour a week of Art/Design technology. The first half of the term we focus on art- drawing, painting, design and technique. The second half of the term, boys are given a Design Technology project to complete.

With the extensive range of art equipment, tools and resources the boys are given the opportunity to create art work of a high standard.

In Reception and Year 1 the boys are introduced to basic techniques and ideas. They are encouraged to explore their imaginations and new skills to help develop confidence in the art room.

In Year 2 the boys are taught the basic fundamental techniques for drawing, painting, line, form and texture. The boys learn about a few famous artists and artworks.

In Year 3 the boys build on these skills to develop work that is more complex and detailed. At this stage the boys are expected to work more independently, exploring their imaginations and creativity. They are also expected to apply ideas and tecniques they have learnt about famous and renowned artists in their own drawings and paintings. This gradual process from reception to year 3 makes the transition from Year 3 to Year 4 easier, as they are prepared for the more advanced and technical aspects of the art curriculum.

In Design Technology the boys are expected to work through project booklets based on their own research. We link up the ICT lessons to give the boys the opportunity to investigate and gain information on the web to assist them in the building of their own models.  With the use of basic building tools such as saws, wood and strong glues the boys are shown, under strict and controlled supervision, how to create 3D models and structures.

Every child has the opportunity to get chosen for two major in house exhibitions: the ‘WETHERBY TATE’ which happens once each term and ‘ PICTURE OF THE MONTH’.
We celebrate art in the school by dedicating one whole day of the year to art activities and projects. All the teachers and children get the chance to dress up and enjoy a day of creating and mess making. The result is a school decorated in amazing masterpieces and a group of very inspired young artists.