In art, our aim is to deliver a high-quality art education which engages, inspires and challenges pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design. We encourage children to use their imagination and creativity by exploring and experimenting with a variety of materials such as clay, textiles and paint as well as developing skills in using and handling different types of tools and techniques.

Children will be provided with opportunities to learn about artists, crafts people and designers both past and present and those from different cultures. In doing this, children will gain an understanding of how art and design both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation.

Through producing creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences, children will be able to think critically, develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design and learn to appreciate their own work and the work of others.

How art is taught

Each unit of work follows the same process and children will use their sketchbook to evidence their art journey:

Step one – Research (looking at a range of artists, craftspeople and designers. Carrying out some observational drawings, taking photographs, collecting pieces of fabric, pictures from magazines or even bits of text/vocabulary that inspire them and links to what they are learning about.)

Step two – Experiment with a range of process (using different media, materials, trying out different skills)

Step three – Design (Use what they have learnt to design their final outcome)

Step four – Making

Evaluation is a part of every lesson and every stage of the unit of work. Each time the children make a mark or experiment with materials, they will evaluate the effectiveness of what they have done and how it matches their intention. Children are encouraged to embrace the mistakes and the things that go wrong. That they are to be learnt from and we should evaluate why things don’t work.

Curriculum overview

Art is linked to the thematic curriculum where it is appropriate and adds value. Where this would not add value, the art topic is done discretely.