Art and Design at Great Linford Primary School
At Great Linford Primary School, we believe it is important to foster creativity and imagination in all our children. In Art and Design, we aim to provide experiences and skills in various different aspects of art and design: painting, drawing, sculpture, dance, drama, printing, pottery plus many more! We aim to provide unique opportunities for our children that enable them to express their creativity in their own way. Over the year, we weave art and design into our project based learning as well as our focused weeks such as Forest Fortnight.
Artsmark We have been awarded Artsmark Silver award by Arts Council England and are very proud. Our journey has been exciting and we will be continuing to develop our Art provision across the school and our links with other schools. Check out the Artsmark website Keep posted with our lasted news here Drama and Dance Over the year, we have been lucky to attend various productions at both the Milton Keynes Theatre and Stantonbury Theatre. The children have thoroughly enjoyed all our theatre experiences including: Awful Auntie, I believe in unicorns and The Little Mermaid performed by the Northern Ballet. At Great Linford Primary we have not only been visiting the theatre, we have been creating our own productions! All the year groups have been working exceptionally hard and have produced outstanding plays and productions! See below for our upcoming production. 2019/2020 Year Group Productions Foundation Stage - Nativity Year 1 - Christmas with the Aliens Year 2 - Production tbc Year 3 - Stone Age Year 4 - Romans Year 5 - Victorians Year 6 - Surprise Production 2019 productions
.Competitions
We are lucky enough to be selected to take part as a school in many different art competitions. See below for the exciting competitions we have won! Mr Mulligans Adventure Golf Colouring competition 6TR and 4SS received an amazing prize when their classmates entered and won the Mr Mulligans Adventure golf competition. The children had to design an underwater scene. The winners received a trip to Mr Mulligans for their whole class which included 2 games of golf and a pizza lunch. Design an Easter Bunny Outfit Zipyard Milton Keynes
Year 2 went on a fantastic trip to the Zip Yard Milton Keynes! The trip was to celebrate not just having one winner but 2 winners from the design a bunny outfit competition. The winners Harlie and Aaron, got to take the whole class to the Zip Yard to see their designs being made. The Zip Yard showed the children how to sew together the outfits and got to help dress the winning bunnies. Everyone was impressed by how well they had transformed the designs into real life. After the children were treated to a surprise visit from Bobby the Intu frog. They loved meeting Bobby and got to have their picture taken. The children were finally treated to a goody bag to take home. Everybody enjoyed watching the outfits being created and meeting Princess Neon (Harlie's Rabbit) and Aaron Junior (Aaron's Rabbit). |
Working with Local Artists
We believe it is important to work closely with our local community and we are extremely lucky to work with amazing local artists and the Art Centre. We frequently work with local potter Andy Macdermott who works with classes and runs a family pottery class. Andy has worked with all different year groups and focuses in on their current topic. The children thoroughly enjoy learning pottery with Andy and have produced amazing work! Last half term Andy worked with Year 5 on Natural Disasters. "I worked with the children to create clay 2D/semi 3D interpretations of the famous Japanese Wave Painting As part of their on-going learning about natural disasters. Each piece was hand-formed with clay and glazed by the children with various blues, greys and whites to capture their own unique version of the Wave Painting." 
Great Linford Primary Gallery
To show case the amazing art work we have been doing, we are lucky to have own own school gallery. Each half term it is updated with the projects each year group is working on and a wonderful selection of art happening across the school. Check out the gallery and see if your art has been chosen this time! 
Pottery Club Blog
Week 1 What a brilliant start to our pottery journey, all the children had an amazing first week! The children all made an owl piece of pottery and had a go at making a bowl on the potter’s wheel. Andy started by showing us how to make a ‘pinch pot’, which is a small bowl shape made by pinching the thumb and fingers into the clay to mould out the bowl shape. We then put together 2 similar sized pinch pots to make a hollow sphere. This is because solid lumps of clay that are too big, cannot go into the kiln. This sphere made the body of our owls.The children then added facial features and wings using their hands to mould smaller bits of clay into the correct shapes. Some children chose to roll out the clay flat, and cut the shapes out from there instead. We could then use tools such as trimming knives (plastic) and even things like toothbrushes to add detail and texture to our owls. This was very effective for detailing feathers and eyes. Andy then showed us how to use the potter’s wheel, how to control the speed with the pedal and how to hold our hands in order to shape the clay in different ways. Once shown and after having a practice, the children then helped each other by making sure enough water was being used and the wheel was going at the correct speed for the task. When asked to rate the afternoon from 1-5 they all said 5! We are looking forward to going again next week. One child even had some tears of joy, as she had enjoyed it so much. Week 2 This week in pottery we have continued our learning by practising the skills we gained last week, particularly on the potter’s wheel. All the children had another go at making a pot, bowl or vase on the wheel, showing notable improvement in the symmetry and balance of the pieces. Well done to all the budding potters! Andy also talked us through how to ‘aqua plane’ the created piece off the wheel by wetting it in such a way that water gets underneath it and so can easily be slid off without causing damage. He also talked us through how to make a door sign using different shaped cutters and tools to get the overall look we were aiming for. We had some good house number and ‘Welcome/Home Sweet Home’ signs created. Andy also talked us through how he uses a particular drainage system from the sinks and potter’s wheels to prevent the water/drainage pipes getting clogged with clay. Another awesome session that every single child thoroughly enjoyed. Can’t wait til next week! Week 3 This week in pottery we have started the glazing process on the pieces that we made over the last couple of weeks. Unfortunately, a few of the pieces didn’t survive the kiln but everyone had at least 2 items to glaze. Andy began by talking us through what glazes are and how to use them; how the shade and intensity of the colours when they come out the bottle is very different to how they come out dry from the kiln. In fact the end colour is much darker than the glaze you paint on to the pottery. Andy then went on to explain the best way to apply the glaze and that you need several layers of the same colour to achieve a nice coverage. Most importantly, don’t paint the bottom or your piece will get stuck in the kiln!! The children and adults alike really enjoyed this part of the process and all worked very hard to give a nice finish to their pieces. I can’t wait to see them next week! |
Projects we have been working on 2019/2020
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Positive Drumming
Year 6 have had their first week of mindful drumming. The ‘Positive Drumming Project’ is going to be visiting Year 6 for ten weeks and teaching them about how to manage their feelings and keep calm in times of stress. They had the opportunity to develop breathing techniques and practice creating rhythms along with chants. The year group are very excited for Addy (the drumming teacher) to come back next week. 
Roald Dahl Day
Year 3 had a great morning celebrating Roald Dahl day. We focused on his fantastic book, James and the Giant Peach! We started by reading up to where the magic began to make the peach grow huge and then took a look at some of the main characters in the story. Then we began to look at collage and made some huge pieces of collage art. The children explored different paper textures and colours and applied them to their shared art creations. Well done for your brilliant art year 3. 
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Wire Flowers
Year 6 have been working hard this week on creating wire sculptures. We have been exploring how we can use wire and manipulate it into different shapes. The children have explored how different wire tools create different effects. 
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Christmas with the Aliens!
This Christmas, year 1 have put on a fantastic production of Christmas with the aliens! The children have worked extremely hard to learn all of their lines and to know when they should say them. The songs sounded beautiful and both performances looked fantastic! Well done year 1!
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Projects we have been working on 2018/2019
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Colour Theory
Year 5 started their new art topic looking at colour! We explored the different types of colours on the colour wheel such as primary, secondary and tertiary. We then explored what a complementary was and how to find them on the colour wheel. Everybody practiced their mixing skills when Miss Scoggins challenged them to make their own colour wheel only using the primary colours! Over the next weeks, we will be exploring how artists use different colours and begin looking at George Seurat. We will be taking a particular interest in pointillism. 
Maypole Dancing
A group of KS1 girls have been practising since January and have an impressive display of dances in their repertoire including: the Barber's Pole, The Spider's Web and The Plait using the ribbons, plus Green Stockings - a country dance without the ribbons that they really enjoy and like to finish their displays with. They have got really good at working together, keeping a good rhythm when they dance, listening to the music for cues to keep them in time, they can even use problem solving skills to "undance" the ribbons when they have finished doing the Plait (we only do this in practice though, as we like to leave a nice plait at the end of their dancing as it looks so pretty - see picture) and since they have got so good at the core dances, they have begun learning some even more complicated dances to extend their skills. Their first performance of the year was our annual display opening the Park's Trust Mayday Festival at Linford Manor Park on 4th May. The girls were real troopers (very appropriate for the day - "May the Forth be with you!") - dancing through the seasons weather of sunshine, drizzle and hailstones! They will also perform at the School Summer Fete on 28th June and their final performance of the year will be at Great Linford Parish Council Family Fun Day, on Sunday 7th July, at Marsh Drive Sports Ground MK14 5HH - see link for more info: https://www.great-linford.gov.uk/events/community-fun-day/ 
Canopic Jars
In the Spring Term, Year 3 worked alongside our local potter, Andrew Macdermott. The children worked with Andy to create their own canopic jars. The children learnt the background behind canopic jars and why the Egyptians used them. They learnt different techniques and used a variety of tools to make marks. 
Year 6 Andy Goldsworthy
Over the past couple of weeks, year 6 have been exploring the work of Andy Goldsworthy. We have been unpicking different pieces and exploring how Andy Goldsworthy makes his artwork. Due to Andy's work being created by natural materials, we have also been focusing on nature and our environment. Last week we practiced our observational sketching, looking at different natural materials such as leaves, sticks etc. This week we created our own Andy Goldsworthy pieces using natural materials we found in the school grounds. They look fantastic! Year one Transport designs
Over the term, year one have been thinking about different methods of transport both now and in the past. We have designed a vehicle and thought about what we needed to make it. The children made their vehicles and added wheels to it by using axles. We had a great time and made a big mess, which we helped tidy up at the end of the day! 
Year 3 Winter Art
Year 3 have been looking at the artist Claude Monet, in particular his many winter scene landscapes. The children have looked closely at the painting 'The Magpie' unpicking the features and deciding what they would be able to smell, hear and see if they were there. The children have been exploring tints of blues and created a winter themed background for their final piece. After developing their mark making skills, year 3 used charcoal and chalk to sketch local trees onto their brilliant backgrounds. We are very proud of all the children and a selection of their work is currently being shown in St Andrews Church. Go and see these wonderful works of art! 
Year 5 Sewing
Year 5 have been working very hard over the past few weeks to create their own space inspired patch using different sewing techniques. The children have been working hard to create their own space scene. They have used different materials to create planets, rockets, stars and even astronauts! We will be displaying a selection of the children's work in our school art gallery in the main corridor. Well done year 5! 
The BFG
Great Linford were fortunate enough to be visited by a theatre company in celebration of Roald Dahl Day 2018. Here we worked with a professional who showed up some warm-up techniques to get us into the swing of things. Then, to celebrate Roald Dahl Day we were given scenes from the novel 'The BFG' and had to act a freeze frame before then acting out the scene. We were taught to play not only human beings but also parts of the furniture, the room and even animals. We finished off the session by working as a whole class to act out a scene where Sophie escapes the giants. We had a lot of fun and learnt some new drama skills.
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2018/2019 Year Group Productions
Foundation Stage - Nativity Year 1 - Nativity Year 2 - Nativity Year 3 - Egyptians Year 4 - Jungle Book Year 5 - Oliver with a Twist Year 6 - The Lion King Anglo Saxon Brooch
Last term, year 6 looked at Anglo Saxon brooches and explored different patterns they could see. They created their own designs based around examples they looked at, also taking inspired from our focus artist Andy Goldsworthy. After creating their designs, the children used clay and clay tools to make their brooch. To add colour to their brooches, they used acrylic paint and focused on using small, accurate brushstrokes. Finally, we added a brooch catch onto the back so that they could be worn. They look fantastic, well done year 6! Computer Aided Design
Year 5 have enjoyed getting creative with computer aided design. They have been using Purple Mash to design our own modes of transport. They designed their patterns for the outside of our modes of transport. They used 2 Design and Make which allowed them to manipulate the corners of our design to make it truly unique. They had some very interesting patterns and designs. Cam Toys
Year 5 have been looking at toys in Design Technology. They have spent time exploring cam toys and creating small prototypes to explore how different cams move. They have worked extremely hard in designing their very own cam toy, looking closely at the movement they wanted their toy to have. We had many different designs such as: underwater, football matches, space rockets and flamingos! The children have worked hard over the past few weeks creating their designs using shoe boxes. They created their own movable pieces and built the cam mechanism underneath. Year 5 created fantastic toys, well done! Treasure Hunt Theatre Performance
We had the fantastic opportunity to watch a live theatre production right here in our school hall as The West End Theatre Company visited us and performed 'Treasure Hunt'. We were lucky enough to have two performances which meant that we could split into Key Stage One and Key Stage Two and everyone could see and hear what was happening perfectly. The two actors did an amazing job of performing several different roles and we continued to be fascinated throughout as they discreetly switched clothes and took on different personas. Each part of the performance had important messages that focused around the importance of looking after our planet, and making sure that we understand that lots of people share common dreams. Victorian Toys
Year 5 have had an amazing few weeks creating their own Zoetrope's! What is a Zoetrope? It's a Victorian toy that spins around showing pictures as if they were moving much like a flip book. Year 5 have made their Zoetrope's from scratch using a variety of processes. They designed their own moving picture to go inside and when they were finally finished, they gave them a spin! Check out their amazing creations below. If you would like to make your own at home, click here to watch a great video with step by step instructions. 
Remembrance Art
To commemorate Remembrance Day 2018, every year group across the school has produced beautiful artwork inspired by the poppy appeal. Each year group has been working with different mediums and techniques to show off the stunning poppies. 
EYFS were inspired by using finger painting to create their poppy flowers. Year 1 created a beautiful wreath made from their hands and adorned with the poppy flower. Year 2 used tissue paper and green card. Year 3 created lifelike poppies made from paper and pipe cleaners. Year 4 used their pottery skills to create poppies. Year 5 put their sewing skills to the test by making handmade sewn poppies from felt. Finally, year 6 used collage techniques to create stunning big poppies.
The art work looks beautiful and complemented a beautiful assembly. 
Dance Festival
On Saturday some year five and six children took part in the performance of dance and the arts. The performance was based around the celebration of the 'Gujurat Kite Festival' in India. They opened the performance at the Stantonbury Theatre after lots of hard work and dedication. The performance was outstanding 
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MAKE MK Gallery Workshop
Year 5 were extremely lucky to go to the MK Gallery to take part in a MAKE branding workshop. The children worked alongside a designer (Mike) to learn about the branding of Milton Keynes, particularly exploring logos. We played games, went on a scavenger hunt and then created our own logo at the end of the day. We explored how logos are created, what colours are used and their typography. All the children went home with their logo created on a badge or a key ring. We will be welcoming Mike back before summer to share his recreation of the MAKE brand. Roman Catapults
After weeks of constructing, Year 4 have completed their Roman catapults. Year 4 have been:
The children have been following our roots and values by using the tools safely such as glue guns and saws. They have expertly measured out their wood and created some fantastic catapults. Today we went out onto the playground and tested how far they went. One catapult managed to launch their pom pom 3 metres 60cm! Great Linford Easter Egg Competition
During the last week of the Spring term, we had some absolutely amazing egg entries ranging from Easter egg based gardens to farms with extra egg additions. Huge congratulations to all those who entered! Reverend Chucks chose some winners and runners up from each class who received a special Easter treat from Miss Lovelock. These eggs are now being displayed in our Local church – St Andrews, so please go and take a look. Jungle Book
Year 4 put on a fantastic production of 'The Jungle Book' as part of their rainforests topic this year. They worked extremely hard learning all the lines and all of the brilliant songs. After rehearsals, they put on their production to their families and did a fantastic job. Well done Year 4. 
Stuart Houses
Year 6 have been looking at Stuart style buildings as part of their topic this term. We have been unpicking the features and comparing them to buildings we see today. We then explored different clay techniques and put these into practice by creating the front view of a Stuart house. After letting them dry, we added paint to show the colours typical of the era. Some children even pushed themselves by painting a separate picture of a Stuart house in their sketchbooks. The Great Linford Bake Off #GLBO
To celebrate Roald Dahl day 2018, Great Linford put on their own Great Linford Bake Off. We were amazed at all the entries we received from our fantastic Great Linford families. All our entries were inspired by Roald Dahl, showing off some of his most famous books. We found it very tricky to decide however we chose a winner and a runner up in every class. Check out the great entries here.
Art Attack
To learn about the features of Autumn, year one did their very own version of 'Big Art Attack'. After watching a clip from Art Attack it inspired the children to create their own. We spoke about the seasons which links to our project this term and discussed how we know that it is Autumn. We then spoke about how we can see Autumn changes in the trees. After discussing Autumn and what it brings we were ready to create our masterpiece. 
Kite Making
Year 3 took part in a fantastic workshop making kites. They built the kites from scratch using just paper and straws. The children learnt the dynamics of what a kite needed in order to fly. After making the basic shape of their kite and placing straws for support, the children used crepe paper to make a soaring tail! Lastly, the children let their creativity flow and designed their soaring birds!
The children had a fantastic time making kites and even got to take one of their kite's home. Their other kites will be used in a set for a dance production. 
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Projects we have been working on 2017/2018
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MK Gallery Young Architect 2018
This year 4 children took part in the MK Gallery Young Architect 2018 competition. Liam (Yr6) Taiba (Yr6) Zavier (Yr3) and Alfie (Yr3) worked together to design a building for the MK Gallery's 'City Club' ideal, created in the 1970's. We are proud to announce that the children were the winners of their age group which is fantastic! During the project, the children created a list of possible leisure buildings and then completed a survey across the playground to see which leisure building the children of Great Linford Primary would want built. After collecting the results, the children came together to produce a design for their indoor water park. Over the week, and working with their design, the children used a variety of materials and techniques to construct their ideas into a 3D model. The children used a mixture of wood, paint, wire and clay to produce their model. All 4 children had a great time creating and building. They did a fantastic job at representing the school. We then attended a special exhibition to announce the winner and we were very please to find out we had won! Well done Great Linford! 
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2017/2018 Year Group Productions
Foundation Stage - Nativity Year 1 - Nativity Year 2 - Nativity Year 3 - Egyptians Year 4 - Harry Potter Year 5 - Natural Disasters - 'Splash!' Year 6 - End of Year Production Weaving Project
As part of a heritage craft project at the Arts Centre in Great Linford, 8 of our Year 5 students have been lucky enough to be offered the opportunity to take part in a 5 week weaving workshop. As well as gaining a new skill the children will learn and explore where the weaving style originates from. 
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Diwali Dance Project
In Year 4, we have had the fantastic opportunity to work with a dance company for a whole week. Here, we were taught the story of Diwali through Rama and Sita. We then spent the week learning an extensive routine showcasing the story. The children have had a chance to get creative making masks and diyas for the performance as well as being taught how to use their face, body, and voice to get into character. We have enjoyed getting into character and learning the correct facial expressions. Year 4 had a fantastic time performing to an audience at Milton Keynes Gallery. They were able to put all of their hard work into performing for the last time at this prestigious venue. As some children were unable to attend, others were asked to take their place which meant learning new routines in a short space of time. The children were a credit to the school and should be very pleased with what they have achieved. It really was a great performance, one of which they won’t forget. 
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