The skills and knowledge that children will develop throughout each art topic are mapped across each year and are progressive throughout both academy sites. The art and design curriculum map has been broken down into year groups and has a core focus of fundamental skills of art and design in EYFS and Key Stage 1. Within KS1 the curriculum map is broken down to ensure teachers focus on the fundamental elements of art and design. The emphasis on knowledge ensures children understand the context of the artwork, as well as the artists they are learning about and being inspired by. As a through academy, we have ensured the knowledge and skills embed a deep understanding of the formal elements of art. This approach allows children to develop and adapt their artistic skills in addition to being given the opportunity to express their creative imagination. The skills learnt in art and design can also be utilised in other curriculum areas, including humanities and science, as children will develop knowledge of a range of artists, individual works and art movements.

The structure of the art and design curriculum ensures that children are able to develop their knowledge and understanding of the work of artists, craftspeople and designers from a range of times and cultures and apply this knowledge to their work. The consistent use of children’s sketchbooks in each year group means children can review, modify and develop their initial ideas in order to achieve high quality outcomes.

Children learn to understand and apply the key principles of art: line, tone, texture, shape, form, space, pattern, colour, contrast, composition, proportion and perspective. The opportunity for children to refine and develop their techniques over time is supported by effective lesson sequencing and progression between year groups. This also supports children in achieving age related expectations at the end of their cohort year. Classroom working wall displays reflect the children’s sense of pride in their artwork. Summative assessment takes place at the end of the art topic and children’s progress and attainment are discussed between year group teachers as a form of moderation between classes. Formative assessments in art and design take place during art sessions and planning is adapted to meet the needs of individual learners.

EYFS:

Teaching within nursery and reception aims to nurture all children as unique and independent learners. Children have open access to a ‘creative area’ which is frequently replenished and provides opportunities for children to explore their imagination. Children can use junk to create models in addition to exploring a range of media, draw, paint and practise their fine motor skills. Children are encouraged to think critically about their designs (using the Characteristics of Effective Learning) and are encouraged to expand their linguistic capital by using a wealth of vocabulary to describe, reflect and progress.