Our Art Curriculum

Why Art Matters
Art, craft and design are powerful forms of human creativity. At our school, we believe that every child should have the opportunity to explore, experiment and express themselves through art. Our curriculum is designed to inspire imagination, build confidence, and develop critical thinking skills while fostering an appreciation of culture and creativity.

Our Aims

Through our art curriculum, we aim to ensure that all pupils:

• Produce creative work, exploring ideas and recording experiences.
• Become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques.
• Evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art and design.
• Learn about great artists, designers and craft makers, and understand the historical and cultural development of art.

How Art is Taught

• Classroom Lessons: Weekly lessons focus on developing skills in drawing, painting, sculpture and craft, alongside creative thinking and problem-solving.
• Sketchbooks: Pupils use sketchbooks to record ideas, experiment with techniques and reflect on their progress.
• Cross-Curricular Links: Art connects with subjects such as history, science and literacy to deepen understanding and make learning meaningful.

Progression Through the School

• Early Years (Reception): Children explore materials, experiment with colour and texture, and begin to express ideas through drawing and making.
• Key Stage 1 (Years 1–2): Pupils learn basic techniques in drawing, painting and sculpture, and begin to talk about their own work and that of artists.
• Key Stage 2 (Years 3–6): Children develop mastery of techniques, learn to use sketchbooks effectively, and study a wide range of artists and styles, including historical and contemporary art.