Art and Design Curriculum Statement

Intent

At Verwood CE First School and Nursery we aim to develop children’s confidence and enjoyment when expressing their ideas and creativity in art and design. 

The study of art and design encourages self-expression and equips children with the creative skills and techniques that enable children of all abilities to communicate and express their thoughts and feelings.  We desire that our children use art and design to communicate their ideas and to respond to the world around them, through the key art processes of drawing, painting, printing, collaging and sculpture.  Our children are taught an understanding of their own and others’ cultural heritage through the study of a range of artists and learn how art and design both reflect and shape our history and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation. 

Our art and design curriculum seeks to offer progression in skills and knowledge through carefully sequenced lessons and experiences and encourages children to ask questions to deepen their learning and support their personal, social and emotional development.  

Implementation

Our art and design topics are informed by the national curriculum and are sensitive to our children’s interests and informed by our current pedagogy.  The art and design curriculum at Verwood CE First School and Nursery is carefully structured and sequenced to ensure that current learning is linked to the children’s previous learning. We strive to give our learners the opportunity to develop a depth of learning which enables them to manipulate and transfer knowledge. 

Teachers have identified the key knowledge and skills of each art and design unit and these are mapped across the school to ensure that knowledge is developed progressively and that skills are taught and learnt systematically. 

Children are encouraged to reflect on previous learning at the beginning of a lesson to ensure that teaching is informed by the children’s starting points and incorporates their interests and questions. 

The activities given are designed to provide appropriate challenge to all learners, in line with the school’s commitment to inclusion. Enrichment opportunities and units of work make use of our school grounds, locality and environment where appropriate and children develop their knowledge, understanding and skills by being outside and enjoying the environment around them.  

Children use sketch books to record their ideas and creations and review, modify and develop their initial ideas in order to achieve their outcomes. Classroom and corridor displays reflect the children’s sense of pride in their artwork and showcases various stages of learning – not just the finished creation. This demonstrates to our children that we value the stages of their learning and these steps are as valuable as the finished piece. 

Expressive art and design is one of the seven areas of The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and is used to develop children’s imaginations, creativity and ability to use media and materials. Our art and design curriculum supports our learners to represent and understand their own feelings and ideas. 

Our approach to teaching and learning supports our curriculum by ensuring that lessons build on prior learning and provide opportunities for guided and independent practice. The development of children’s knowledge and skills across all primary subjects is key when building on prior learning, this supports children for the next stage of their learning. Subject content is presented clearly, teachers carefully check learning and identify misconceptions, providing direct feedback.

Impact

Through the high quality, sequenced and progressive first teaching of art and design we will see the impact of the subject in several ways. 

Pupil voice shows the children are confident and able to talk about what they have learnt in art and design using subject specific vocabulary.   Dialogue with pupils indicates that they have enjoyment in art and design and can recall their learning over time and build upon it. Outcomes in children’s sketch books and classroom displays evidence a broad and balanced art and design curriculum and demonstrates the children’s acquisition of key knowledge. Learning is of good quality and demonstrates that pupils are acquiring knowledge, skills and vocabulary in an appropriate, progressive sequence. Assessment and monitoring will show standards and expectations in art and design are high and will match standards in other subject areas.