Art - Parents Page
Why include the Arts in Home Schooling
Students who take part in the arts are:
-
4 times more likely to be noticed for doing well in school
-
4 times more likely to succeed in maths and science
-
Almost 4 times more likely to read for fun
-
Nearly twice as likely to volunteer in their community
(Source: Stanford University & Carnegie Foundation, 1998)
Arts education has a big impact on how young people grow and learn. It also helps create fairer opportunities for students from different backgrounds.
The arts bring people together and give us a way to communicate that goes beyond race, language, age, or ability.
Through the arts, students learn that problems can have more than one answer and that there are many ways to understand and see the world.
The Aim of Art in Schools
The aim of art in UK schools, as set out in the National Curriculum, is to inspire and challenge pupils while giving them the skills and confidence to express themselves creatively. Through studying art, craft, and design, students learn to think critically, develop their imagination, and understand how art reflects and shapes history and culture. The curriculum encourages pupils to experiment with different materials, explore ideas, and evaluate their own and others’ work, helping them to become reflective and resourceful learners.
Arts and Well-being
Gavin Clayton, director of a charity for Arts, Health and Wellbeing, says that taking part in creative activities can really help mental health. Research shows that:
-
71% of people felt less anxious
-
76% said their wellbeing improved
-
69% felt more included socially
One person explained: “I feel so much better having the time and space to do some art. It makes such a difference.”
The arts matter for wellbeing because beauty and creativity are important in our lives. Ignoring that can make life harder.
Following a Set Programme of Art
Because our learners are home-schooled, we don’t have to follow the National Curriculum. That means we don’t need to study every piece of work in detail. We’ve found that being forced to deeply analyse books, paintings, music, or plays can sometimes kill a student’s interest. Think about having to pick apart Shakespeare at school! Instead, we believe if you are interested in a piece of art, you’ll naturally want to explore it more. If not, it’s still valuable to see it, understand where it fits in history or culture, and then move on.
For learners on the Autistic Spectrum, not every part of the arts will suit them. They usually know what they like and what they don’t. They might not always feel a strong emotional connection to art, but they can still find areas they enjoy. For example, one of our learners loves Japanese art.
We’ve spent hours exploring The Tale of Genji scroll from the 12th century and studying Japanese block printing and the life of Hokusai. But could I get this learner interested in Picasso or Salvador Dalí? Not a chance! And that’s the point—you are naturally drawn to what fascinates you, and that’s what you’ll want to explore in detail.
Recording Your Response
It’s up to you how you want to record your personal response to a piece of art. However, you must write in your Evidence Diary to show that you have done some art. At the very least, include details about the piece you looked at and how long you spent on it.
You can then either keep the finished piece in your evidence folder, or take a photo of your work, save it electronically, and make sure it is named and dated.
Including Art In To The Learning Routine
At Orchard Training, we try to include art in our projects where it fits naturally and can be enjoyed. For example, in our project on British Horses, we look at George Stubbs’ horse paintings and encourage learners to paint their own. In our Chess project, students explore how history, religion, and culture have influenced the design of chess pieces. In our Fishing in British Rivers project, we focus on pencil drawing.
You don’t need expensive equipment to start making art. Each project lists the resources you’ll need, and we keep them affordable by using recycled materials and simple homemade ideas where possible. Colouring pencils and felt-tips are absolutely fine if that’s what you have. We do suggest getting a small sketchbook for drawing when you’re out and about. If you want to invest a little more, some HB, H, and B pencils are useful.
The biggest cost in art is often visiting galleries. Many are free, but some charge. The main expense is usually travel, so it’s best to plan ahead, combine the trip with other activities, and bring a packed lunch—just like a proper school trip.
Art - Pril
Every year we run an event called Art-pril—as the name suggests, it’s all about doing art in April! Each day has a different word, and you’re invited to draw, paint, make, or design something that shows what that word means to you.
It’s not just for our homeschool learners—parents, brothers, sisters and cousins can join in too!
Feeling creative? Dust off your skills and get making.
Check our calendar to see the words for Art-pril!
_JPG.jpg)