Art and Design

The Nature of Art, Craft, and Design

Art is a rich and evolving discipline, central to human civilisation. It has served many purposes throughout history—representing the natural world, expressing emotion, exploring beauty, and challenging societal norms. Major forms of art include drawing, painting, sculpture, and printmaking, and in more recent times, photography, performance, installation, and digital media have become integral to artistic expression.

Art is closely connected to both craft and design, seen in areas such as typography, textiles, ceramics, and graphic design. These disciplines continue to interconnect and influence one another, and our curriculum reflects the importance of understanding these relationships.

Curriculum Intent

We believe that creating art enriches a child’s understanding of the world and equips them with unique tools for self-expression and communication. Our curriculum nurtures each child's natural sense of wonder, encouraging them to explore and respond to what they see, hear, feel, and experience through artistic expression.

Our art curriculum aims to:

• Inspire curiosity, creativity, and imagination

• Develop children’s visual and aesthetic awareness

• Enable children to make informed, critical responses to their own work and that of others

• Foster a sense of personal fulfilment and satisfaction through creative expression

• Support the development of key skills such as:

  • Hand-eye coordination

  • Understanding of size, shape, pattern, and design

  • Decision-making and problem-solving

  • Confidence and emotional wellbeing through art as a calming, therapeutic outlet

We want all children to develop the ability to create freely, to value the process as much as the outcome, and to see themselves as artists, designers, and makers.

Curriculum Implementation

To deliver this vision, we ensure:

• The art curriculum is well-sequenced and structured, with clear progression and defined end points

• Knowledge is built over time, with learning broken into manageable components so children can know more and remember more

• Lessons are designed to develop:

  • Practical knowledge – how to use tools, materials, and techniques

  • Theoretical knowledge – understanding art history, artists, and cultural contexts

  • Disciplinary knowledge – how to think, critique, and work like an artist

• Teaching is responsive to children's level of skill, ensuring:

  • New techniques are given sufficient time and practice

  • More experienced children access open-ended and exploratory tasks

• Teachers direct children’s focus to key concepts, themes, and artistic ideas, helping them explore and develop their own responses

• Subject-specific vocabulary is embedded in planning to help children develop a visual language and express their ideas clearly

• Educational visits and experiences with artists or craft makers are enriched with prior knowledge, ensuring maximum impact

• SEND children receive targeted support and subject-specific adaptations, rather than a diluted curriculum

• Time is given for collaboration and social interaction, supporting children to share, negotiate, and develop creative ideas together

Please click the links below to access key Art and Design documents: