Art, Craft & Design at Our School

Our art curriculum is designed to inspire children to explore their creativity while building the technical skills they need to express themselves. We believe that art is not just about making things—it is about learning to observe the world closely, thinking critically, and understanding the culture and history that shapes us.

The 'Big Ideas' of Art

Throughout their time with us, children return to seven core concepts that help them grow as artists. We call these our "Big Ideas":

• Line & Shape: Creating the foundations of any piece.

• Colour & Tone: Learning how to mix paints and use light and shadow.

• Texture & Pattern: Adding detail and feel to their work.

• Form: Understanding 3D shapes and structures.

What Your Child Will Experience

Our curriculum is built on four key pillars to ensure a well-rounded artistic education:

1. Mastery of Skills: Children follow a steady progression in drawing, painting, and sculpture (with a special focus on ceramics/clay).

2. Diverse Art Forms: Beyond the basics, pupils explore printmaking, photography, textiles, and filmmaking.

3. Sketchbooks & Illustration: Children use sketchbooks to trial ideas and "think on paper," using their skills to illustrate work across other subjects like History and English.

4. Art Appreciation: We want our pupils to talk confidently about art. They study a diverse range of global artists, designers, and craftspeople.

Our Partnership with the National Gallery

We are proud to work with the National Gallery. Every year group focuses on a specific world-class masterpiece, ranging from Van Gogh to Holbein. This allows children to:

• Study the life and techniques of influential artists.

• Compare different styles, from portraits to landscapes.

• In Year 4, children have the exciting opportunity to visit the National Gallery in London to see these famous works in person!

How the Learning Builds Up

We have carefully "linked" our lessons so that learning never stands still:

• Building on the past: For example, a child might learn to use three shades of grey in Year 1, four in Year 2, and move up to six shades by Year 3.

• Connecting subjects: Our art units are often inspired by other topics. In Year 5, for instance, children might paint World War I artefacts to deepen their understanding of their History lessons.

Preparing for the Future

By the time our pupils leave for secondary school, they will be "successful citizens" of the art world. They will have the vocabulary to critique professional artwork, the confidence to experiment with their own ideas, and a high level of skill in drawing, painting, and sculpting.