Each year, for one week, we step off our usual timetable to completely immerse the children in an exciting project, this year we are taking a very special picture and exploring it across the whole curriculum and taking part in a national project.
Take One Picture is an initiative of the National Gallery which aims to encourage a lifelong love of art. Every year, one picture from their collection is chosen to inspire cross-curricular work in primary classrooms, this year the picture is by Henri Rousseau – ‘Surprised’.
We are delighted artist, Benedict Doonan, father of Iggy in Year 5 and Ilka Brown, our resident artist, will lead the week. Both will be working directly with the children to produce work inspired by this painting. The children will explore aspects such as media and form as well as the history of art and the context of the painting. The children will work on collaborative pieces as well as individual pieces. Over the course of the week each class will study cross curricular themes, inspired by the painting, with their teachers, this will be a totally immersive experience.
The painting has been on display in our hall and the children have been introduced to the concepts around ‘Take one Picture’ during a recent assembly. I was struck by the children’s insightful comments and I am confident that the project will inspire and motivate all children across the school.
Our lucky Year 4 children will get to see the original painting in the National Gallery on their trip to London. As part of this project we are eager for families to visit art galleries, large or small ~ do send us photographs to add to our displays.
The cost of the enrichment week is £8 per child and will be invoiced shortly (for comparison, our previous enrichment week cost £10 each child).
We hope to share the work with you towards the end of the academic year when it is all compiled.