Rationale
At our school, Art and Design is valued as an essential part of a broad, balanced and creative curriculum. In line with the school’s ethos of nurturing confident, curious and independent learners, we believe that every child should have the opportunity to develop their imagination, creativity and self-expression through high-quality artistic experiences. Art enables children to communicate ideas, emotions and experiences in unique and meaningful ways while also supporting wellbeing, resilience and confidence.
Our curriculum is delivered through the AccessArt Primary Art Curriculum, which promotes an inclusive and exploratory approach to learning. Inspired by the creative and child-centred values reflected in St. Paul’s School we encourage pupils to take creative risks, embrace individuality and understand that art is a process of exploration and discovery. Through exposure to a diverse range of artists, cultures and artistic traditions, children develop cultural awareness and an appreciation of the visual world around them.
Overview
The Art and Design curriculum provides pupils with opportunities to explore a wide range of disciplines including drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, textiles, collage and mixed media. Learning is carefully sequenced through the AccessArt curriculum to ensure progression in both skills and knowledge across all year groups.
Children are introduced to a broad range of artists, designers and craftspeople from different cultures, historical periods and backgrounds, such as: Molly Haslund, Rae Smith, Thandiwe Muri, Marela Zacarias and Charlie French and Mike Barrett. They learn to analyse and discuss artwork using subject-specific vocabulary while developing their own artistic style and preferences. Art journals play an important role within lessons, giving pupils a space to experiment, record observations, develop ideas and reflect on their learning journey.
The curriculum supports not only artistic development, but also wider skills such as observation, problem-solving, fine motor control, critical thinking and communication.
Intent
Our intention is to provide an ambitious, inclusive and inspiring Art and Design curriculum that enables all children to:
- develop creativity, confidence and imagination;
- acquire and apply artistic skills progressively across the primary years;
- experiment with a variety of materials, media and techniques;
- explore and respond to the work of diverse artists and cultures;
- develop resilience through reflection, refinement and evaluation;
- communicate ideas, emotions and experiences visually;
- appreciate the value and impact of art within society and the wider world.
Through the AccessArt approach, we aim to nurture children as independent and reflective learners who understand that creativity is for everyone.
Implementation
Art and Design is taught using the AccessArt Primary Art Curriculum, which provides a progressive framework for developing artistic knowledge, skills and vocabulary. Lessons are practical, exploratory and discussion-based, allowing children to investigate materials and techniques through hands-on experiences.
Pupils are encouraged to experiment freely, make creative choices and reflect upon their work throughout the artistic process. Teachers model techniques and provide opportunities for children to practise and refine their skills over time. Sketchbooks are used regularly as a personal space for recording ideas, exploring techniques and evaluating progress. By combining technical skills with contextual and conceptual understanding our curriculum helps ensure every pupil feels entitled to embrace their own creativity as something which is important to them, and something which is valued by society.
Children study the work of significant artists and designers, making connections between their own work and wider artistic movements and traditions. Cross-curricular links are made where meaningful, enabling creativity to enrich learning across the curriculum.
Impact
By the time children leave our school, they will have developed a secure understanding of artistic processes and the confidence to express themselves creatively. Pupils will demonstrate progression in technical skills, creativity and their ability to evaluate and discuss artwork using appropriate vocabulary. By the end of Year 6, we want them to be able to answer with confidence and self-knowledge and answer to the question, “What does being creative mean to you?”
Children will show independence, resilience and pride in their achievements, understanding that art is a valuable form of communication and self-expression. Through engagement with diverse artists and creative experiences, pupils will leave primary school with a lasting appreciation of the arts and an understanding of how creativity contributes to culture, identity and the wider world.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart” – Colossians 3:23
