At our school, Art and Design is a creative journey of exploration, imagination and self-expression, helping children to understand and interpret the world around them.
We want children to enjoy creating, experimenting and developing their own artistic ideas. We encourage children to be curious and confident artists who observe closely, ask questions and express themselves through a range of creative media. Our Art and Design curriculum develops pupils’ understanding through four key concepts: Drawing, Painting, Sculpture & Design. Through these areas, children explore techniques, materials, artists and cultures, developing the knowledge and skills to create meaningful and imaginative artwork.
We bring Art and Design to life through exciting projects, outdoor learning, artist studies, workshops and practical experiences. Children might sketch natural objects in the school grounds, experiment with colour and texture, create sculptures inspired by famous artists or design and make products for a specific purpose and audience. These memorable experiences help pupils connect artistic ideas to the wider world and understand how art enriches communities, cultures and everyday life.
Hands-on learning is at the heart of our Art and Design teaching. Pupils are encouraged to experiment, take creative risks, refine their work and reflect on their artistic choices. Through the creative process, they develop the skills to generate ideas, use a range of materials and techniques effectively, evaluate their work and communicate their thoughts and feelings visually. Children learn that art is not simply about producing a final piece; it is about exploring ideas, developing creativity and expressing themselves with confidence.
As children move through the school, they revisit and build upon their prior learning, developing increasingly secure artistic knowledge, skills and understanding. They make connections between different forms of art, artists, cultures and periods of history, recognising how creative ideas influence and inspire one another. They also develop their ability to think critically, solve problems creatively and discuss art using increasingly precise vocabulary.
By the time pupils leave our school, we want them to have a strong foundation of artistic knowledge and skills, confidence in expressing themselves creatively, and an appreciation of the rich and diverse world of art and design. We hope they leave with the imagination, resilience and curiosity to continue creating, exploring and finding inspiration throughout their lives.
At Darton Primary School, our Art and Design curriculum aims to inspire creativity, imagination and self-expression, enabling every child to develop a lifelong appreciation of art and the world around them. Through a carefully sequenced curriculum, pupils explore a wide range of artistic disciplines, artists, designers and craft makers from different cultures and time periods. They develop a secure understanding of artistic techniques, processes and styles, while learning how art reflects and shapes the world in which we live. We aim to nurture confident, creative and reflective artists who are willing to experiment, take risks and communicate their ideas through a variety of media.
Through engaging, hands-on learning experiences, pupils develop their knowledge and skills in drawing, painting, sculpture, printing, textiles and digital art. They are encouraged to observe closely, explore materials, refine techniques and evaluate their own work and that of others. Working individually and collaboratively, children learn to express their thoughts, feelings and experiences creatively while developing resilience and pride in their achievements. Our curriculum encourages pupils to make meaningful connections between art, culture, history and the wider world, fostering curiosity and appreciation for diverse artistic traditions. It reflects our school values of inclusion, positivity, kindness, respect, honesty and curiosity, ensuring that every child is supported to flourish as a creative learner.
Ultimately, we want our children to leave Darton Primary School with a strong foundation of artistic knowledge and skills, the confidence to express themselves creatively and an appreciation of the power of art to inspire, communicate and enrich lives. We aim to develop imaginative, reflective and culturally aware individuals who value creativity, embrace new ideas and are ready to Aim High, Work Hard, Achieve Together.
At DPS, we want children to make sustained progress in Art and Design by building upon their knowledge, understanding and creative skills throughout their time in school. We believe that all children should be encouraged to think critically, develop their creativity and gain an appreciation of how art and design both reflect and shape our history, culture and communities. Our carefully sequenced curriculum is delivered through a two-year cycle, ensuring that pupils revisit and deepen their understanding of key concepts, techniques and artistic processes over time.
Our progression documents support teachers in delivering high-quality lessons that meet the needs of all learners, enabling children to develop confidence and competence across a range of artistic disciplines. Art and Design is taught through knowledge-rich, practical units of work which have been designed by subject and curriculum leaders to ensure that every child has opportunities to explore a diverse range of artists, cultures, media and artistic techniques.
The Accelerated Learning Cycle, based on the work of Alistair Smith, underpins all teaching and learning. This approach promotes a supportive yet challenging learning environment where pupils actively engage through multi-sensory experiences, demonstrate their understanding in a variety of ways and revisit learning to secure long-term knowledge and skills. Through exploration, experimentation and reflection, children are encouraged to develop their own artistic voice and take pride in their creative achievements.
Where possible, learning is given a real-life purpose through participation in competitions, exhibitions and gallery displays, allowing pupils to showcase their work to wider audiences. These experiences help children understand the value of art beyond the classroom and inspire them to see themselves as artists and designers within the wider community.
Assessment in Art and Design is ongoing throughout each lesson. Formative assessment enables teachers to identify pupils’ understanding, address misconceptions and adapt teaching responsively to ensure all children make progress. Through adaptive teaching, carefully planned scaffolds, adult support and appropriate levels of challenge, pupils are supported to achieve success whilst developing independence and resilience as learners.
By the end of their time at DPS, pupils will have developed a secure foundation of artistic knowledge and skills, an appreciation of a diverse range of artists and artistic traditions, and the confidence to communicate their ideas creatively. They will be able to reflect thoughtfully on their own work and that of others, demonstrating the creativity, curiosity and critical thinking skills needed for future learning and life beyond school.
3044195754152503401HCAT Art & Design Curriculum
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