Art & Design

At our school, Art and Design is a valued part of a broad and balanced curriculum. We believe that every child is an artist: creative, curious and capable of expressing ideas in unique ways. Through high-quality experiences, pupils learn to explore, invent, practise skills and communicate meaning, while developing confidence, resilience and pride in their work.

Our approach

We teach Art and Design through a carefully planned progression of knowledge and skills, so that children can build on what they have learned year by year. Lessons are designed to help pupils:

• Develop practical skills in drawing, painting, sculpture, printing and mixed media
• Experiment and take creative risks, learning that mistakes are an important part of the artistic process
• Learn about artists, designers and craftspeople, and respond thoughtfully to a range of styles, cultures and traditions
• Use art to communicate ideas and feelings, and to reflect on the world around them
• Evaluate and improve work by talking about techniques, choices and outcomes using appropriate vocabulary

Kapow Primary: our chosen scheme

To ensure clear progression and consistent coverage across the school, we follow Kapow Primary’s Art and Design scheme of work. This supports teachers with well-structured units that develop key techniques and creative thinking, while offering engaging starting points and inspiring outcomes. The scheme helps us provide:

• A coherent sequence of learning 
• High-quality, practical lesson content with clear steps and modelling
• Opportunities to study a wide range of artists and designers and explore different influences
• Creative outcomes where children apply skills independently and reflect on their learning

How children learn in Art & Design

Art learning is hands-on and purposeful. Children are encouraged to investigate materials, practise techniques and make choices about how to develop their work. Lessons include regular opportunities for:

• Skill-building and experimentation
• Discussion and vocabulary development
• Creating, evaluating and improving
• Celebrating individual style and creativity

Inclusion and enjoyment

We want every child to succeed and feel proud. Art and Design is taught in a way that is inclusive and accessible, with supportive scaffolds, carefully chosen resources and opportunities for challenge and extension. Above all, we aim to foster joy, curiosity and self-expression, so that children leave primary school with skills, knowledge and a lifelong appreciation of creativity.