Art

Intent

The aim of the Art and Design curriculum is to develop artistic skills, a creative mind and enjoyment of the subject. Our curriculum is designed to give pupils every opportunity to develop their ability, nurture their talent and interests, express their ideas and thoughts about the world, as well as learning about the rich heritage and culture of the British Isles and beyond.

Our approach to art supports pupils to meet the National curriculum end of key stage attainment targets and fully covers the National Society for Education in Art and Design’s progression competencies.

We believe it is important to understand all children’s starting points and implement strategies to allow every child to flourish. Our approach to Art and Design aims to inspire our learners to create, experience, and participate in great arts and culture.

Implementation

Four strands run throughout the curriculum. These are:

• Making skills
• Formal elements (line, shape, tone, texture, pattern, colour)
• Knowledge of artists
• Evaluating

Through our approach, we revisit these strands in every unit ensuring our learners have the opportunity to learn and practise skills discretely. We teach a spiral curriculum; the knowledge and skills taught are revisited throughout the curriculum. This allows pupils to revise and build on their previous learning.

Our Curriculum Overview shows the units we cover across the school.  

Our Progression of skills shows the skills that are taught within each year group.

Our Art and design curriculum develops pupil’s knowledge and understanding of key artists and art movements through through practical work. Our approach encourages creativity and supports pupils in learning how to make their own creative choices.

Lessons are always practical in nature and encourage experimental and exploratory learning with pupils using sketchbooks to document their ideas. Knowledge organisers support pupils in building a foundation of factual knowledge by encouraging recall of key facts and vocabulary.

Impact

Our Art and Design curriculum is designed in such a way that children are involved in the evaluation, dialogue and decision making about the quality of their outcomes and the improvements they need to make. By taking part in regular discussions and decision-making processes, children will not only know facts and key information about art, but they will be able to talk confidently about their own learning journey, have higher metacognitive skills and have a growing understanding of how to improve.

The impact of our Art and Design Curriculum is monitored through both formative and summative assessment opportunities. After the implementation of our Art and design curriculum, pupils should leave primary school equipped with a range of techniques and the confidence and creativity to form a strong foundation for their Art and design learning at Key Stage 3 and beyond.