Creative Arts
“Creativity is contagious. Pass it on.” Albert Einstein.
Creativity is a vital part of childhood. As Fairchildes creative arts leader I believe that whichever pathway an individual chooses - their formative years must be filled with the opportunity to experience collective creativity. School can offer a golden opportunity to discover an individual’s passion and possible talent that may never otherwise be discovered.
Our arts offer includes rich opportunities for visual art and design & technology, theatrical arts (including dance) and musical expression. I feel a strong connection and value is uniquely held by each of the areas that encompass the arts at Fairchildes:
“Where words fail, music speaks” Hans Christian Anderson
Music is a universal language that can sooth, teach, excite, unify and motivate children. It is a right of every young person to experience music as part of their development and learning. At Fairchildes we delight in finding musical individuals and polishing them until they shine brightly. We also value highly the art of singing collectively and are aware of the stress-busting effect of singing together in our modern world. Music is life.
It is my belief that visual Art is a fundamental part of children’s development. Experiencing art from an early age is essential for the human condition. Watching the uninhibited self-expression of children engaged in an art lesson is wonderful and for some individuals - art in primary education will be the only time they take part with abandon before becoming overly-concerned with others judgements… Art spans every culture, language, time and place and should be inclusive of everyone regardless of need.
Design and Technology has never been more relevant in primary education. Children’s learning is diverse and challenging in the modern classroom. Design and Technology is a subject that encourages children to think both creatively and scientifically – often at the same time. If we are to continue with British design being relevant on the world stage, then we need our future designers and creative thinkers to be nurtured from the start. (Please see our D&T tab for more information.)
Finally, within our creative arts offer, our school places high value on performance opportunities. From day one, if a talent is noticed, we delight in giving individuals a platform to develop their skills and reach upwards towards their full creative potential.
Sally Gardner – Fairchildes Creative Arts Leader
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please click the link below to visit our Creative Arts Gallery
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creative arts trips and additional activities
Every year group
Helen O’Grady Drama Workshops
Art clubs
Upper School Choir Perform externally throughout the year
360 Centre
Seaside visit to Camber Sands – Making collections on the visit of textured objects such as shells. These are used to produce related art work upon return to school.
Nursery
Story based cooking e.g. 3 bears breakfast
Picnic making
Library visit - story telling
Miss Lily - Interactive story-telling weekly session e.g with puppets, story bags and boxes.
Reception
Visit the library - Author Visit e.g.
Morden Hall Park (Understanding the world and Expressive arts focus) Mini beast art and nature rubbings.
Year 1
Pizza Express trip
Pizza Bake at school – Design Technology
Year 1 Art club
Year 2
Design Technology - Annual picnic adventure. In our designated Children’s kitchen the children prepare fruit and vegetable based treats to share in a feast which we enjoy on our school field as a year 2 community.
Clapham Pottery Studio Visit for Clay workshop for AGT artists
Croydon Schools Music and Arts Festival – Fairfield Halls massed Key Stage 1 Choir
AGT music programme weekly
Professional dance school sessions for each class – street dance
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Year 3
Annual New Addington Carnival Float. Children spend their art lessons leading up to the carnival contributing collaboratively on large pieces or making costumes etc to wear in the procession.
Roman Villa – Crofton in Orpington which includes art based activities on site.
AGT music programme weekly
Professional dance school sessions for each class – street dance
Entry to ‘Addington’s Got Talent’ annual competition
Year 4
Annual Carol Service at the Croydon Minster
AGT art club
AGT Music programme weekly
Street dance troop
Entry to ‘Addington’s Got Talent’ annual competition
Year 5
AGT Steel Band gigs in numerous locations
Croydon Schools Music and Arts Festival – Fairfield Halls massed Key Stage 2 Choir
AGT music programme weekly
Street dance troop
Entry to ‘Addington’s Got Talent’ annual competition
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Year 6
Steel Band gigs in numerous locations
Performance roles as choral parts in Meridian High Schools annual production
AGT Steel Band members – Panorama Competition at Notting Hill Carnival
Capturing Croydon Photography Project - G&T geographers selected to photograph landmarks in Croydon to develop their sense of place.
Street dance troop
Entry to ‘Addington’s Got Talent’ annual competition
Fairchildes also offers workshops to parents such as:
- Story box making to enhance home story-telling and using art to visualise stories
- Parent cooking sessions in our designated Children’s Kitchen
- Exploring colour, texture and tactile qualities through planned sensory workshops to enhance parents understanding of how art can be used with children’s development and well-being.