Intent

The high-quality art and design curriculum is designed to allow our children to innovate, create and take ownership of art and design. We encourage pupils to develop their creativity building on their own imagination using the techniques and inspiration from artists. Pupils are taught to be evaluate and critique with a positive mindset and respect of others.  

The art and design curriculum is built to be progressive and inclusive where all children can recognise themselves as artists and have the confidence to design and create without judgement. As wellbeing has such an importance, children are encouraged to be engaged and realise that art can be a form of therapy.  

To build cultural capital, our children are exposed to the opportunities to see a variety of art and design inspirations to create their own pieces as well as gaining the experience of using real life tools and equipment. They are inspired to use their own cultures and knowledge as well as artists to influence their creativity. 

Implementation

At Hazelbury Primary School, the art and design curriculum is planned and taught within a sequence with clear connections to other areas in the curriculum. It allows for specific subject content and expectations following knowledge organisers. This progression is evident from the early years where a progressive curriculum based on the Development Matters transitions into the curriculum for KS1 and KS2. 

From the Early Years, children are taught to explore and make independent decisions. Pupils are taught skills that can be transferable throughout the art and design curriculum when making independent choices. As pupils’ transition through the school, they progress in skills and abilities to think critically and evaluate artwork using knowledge and understanding. Children are challenged to explore how artwork reflects history, emotion and culture whilst understanding the impact it has on others and the wider world. 

Teachers follow a clear teaching cycle: Enquiring and Analysing, Developing ideas, Creating a Solution & Evaluating. Vocabulary and Oracy are continuously revisited throughout the cycle. Pupils’ evaluate work using vocabulary taught and identify themes and expressions from inspiration. These skills are embedded from early learning to promote depth of learning. 

Children at Hazelbury have access to an art hub to complete lessons using a range of materials and tools. Children are exposed to depth of learning through the techniques taught and the exposure to materials and tools. 

Teachers have clear knowledge and skills developed through CPD; this is demonstrated in art and design lessons.

Impact 

The art and design curriculum will enable children to understand individuality and recognise the difference in culture religion and expression through art and design. They will have the confidence to use a variety of tools and materials through own choosing to produce pieces of art. Children will be able to make sensible choices using inspiration from others and recognising their own beliefs and values. They will have the confidence to discuss various artists and designers in terms of their work and their expressive style. 

Enrichment

The children at Hazelbury are exposed to inspired weeks for art and design where they learn and implement new skills. They use inspiration from artists and ideas to communicate their creative minds.

We recognise that cultural knowledge is fluid and pupils should apply it across the curriculum.  Cultural capital therefore is a key driver in art and design curriculum. With the understanding that knowledge alters what we see, to expand pupils cultural understanding, visits to galleries are planned e.g. William Morris Gallery, Guildhall Art Gallery and The Tate Britain.  These visits have two aims: to inspire and to develop cultural knowledge.  

We are proud to be one of the 3000 schools that participated in the Steve McQueen Year 3 class photograph exhibition.  Over 76,000 pupils were photographed for this historic capture of London’s future.  Steve McQueen’s ambitious project echoes our ethos ‘The Future is Us’.

“Who will these children be?  The future of London.  In our reach is the future.  We have a possibility of shaping the future of the children we teach.” Steve McQueen