Art and Design
OUR JOURNEY THROUGH ART
Distinctive Christian Character
God is creative and made our wonderful world.
God created us to be in His image, and therefore creative too.
We give thanks for the beauty of the world, for the inspiration to create and for the ability to express our thoughts and feelings. Art requires perseverance and patience and we trust in God’s strength when we are challenged. As a school community, we show kindness through encouragement and the celebration of everyone’s unique work.
Intended Curriculum
Art and design is a creative, exciting and inclusive subject for every child. Our curriculum meets the requirements of the National Curriculum while providing a broad and balanced education. Through a cross- curricular approach, we use projects and big questions to drive enquiry-based learning that connects art with wider areas of study. Skills and knowledge are carefully developed across year groups, building on the creativity established in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Art encourages imagination, observation and communication
through the exploration of colour, texture, form and pattern. Pupils also learn about significant artists, craftspeople and designers from a range of times and cultural backgrounds. Ultimately, we aim to prepare children for a media-rich future by helping them form informed and thoughtful cultural opinions.
Our curriculum is aspirational, fostering progressive skills and critical thinking about
art and its role in history and culture. It is creative, encouraging original ideas and innovation, and skill-based, providing opportunities for pupils to explore drawing, painting, sculpture and other techniques. The curriculum is progressive, building on the foundations established in the Early Years Foundation Stage with continuity and development year on year. It is also inclusive, ensuring that all pupils can access learning through appropriate support and differentiation.
A creativity-led, skills-based approach helps develop pupils as inspired and motivated learners. Teaching is hands-on, with opportunities to work independently, in pairs or in groups, both inside and outside the classroom. Pupils gain experience in painting, drawing, sculpture, digital artwork and photography, with each lesson focused on specific skills and linked to the wider curriculum project. In Key Stage 2, pupils use sketchbooks for practice and reflection, while in Key Stage 1 they explore skills in varied formats and sizes. Pupils study artists and designers, examining artistic movements and their historical contexts, and they respond through discussion, writing and their own creative work. Prior learning is regularly revisited to strengthen progression and deepen understanding across year groups.
Curriculum Delivery
Impact
The impact of our art and design curriculum is seen in lessons that have clear objectives for skill development, while also allowing space for creativity beyond set outcomes. Teaching is inclusive and differentiated to ensure engagement and challenge for all pupils. Assessment is ongoing and draws on discussions, questioning and teacher observations to provide a full picture of each pupil’s progress and creativity.