Art and Design

Intent

At Woodcocks' Well CE (VA) Primary School, our Art and Design curriculum is designed to deliver a broad, balanced, and ambitious education in line with the National Curriculum, tailored to our small, semi-rural setting and diverse pupil needs. We intend to equip every pupil with secure, progressive knowledge and skills in a range of artistic media and techniques—drawing, painting, sculpture, and digital art—building systematically from early years through to Year 6. Our curriculum fosters creativity, cultural appreciation, and personal expression, embedding formal elements of art while integrating historical and contextual understanding of both European and non-Western traditions. This supports pupils’ spiritual, cultural, and social development in alignment with our Christian ethos and school values. We prioritise inclusivity and aspiration, ensuring pupils with SEND and those from disadvantaged backgrounds receive targeted support to close gaps and make strong progress.

The aims of teaching Art and Design in our school are:

• develop knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of art and design.

• develop a visual awareness

• provide opportunities to use art to record feelings and express creative imagination

• understand the visual elements of colour, texture, line, tone, pattern and shape form for them to effectively express themselves through artistic means

• develop mastery of a range of tools, media and processes

• acquire artistic skills and techniques

• develop their capacity to evaluate their own and others artistic endeavors

• teach children the skills needed to display and present their work

Implementation

At Woodcocks’ Well (VA) CofE Primary School, Art and Design is taught on a 2 year rolling programme. The curriculum content covered is progressive throughout the years and ensures all objectives are met.

The curriculum is carefully sequenced to build on prior learning, breaking down artistic skills into manageable components that develop in complexity over time. Teachers use a variety of pedagogical approaches—from explicit, didactic instruction to pupil-led exploration—chosen to best secure knowledge and skills at each stage. Non-specialist staff are supported with clear schemes of work, subject-specific professional development, and regular opportunities to reflect and adapt curriculum delivery based on pupil needs and feedback. We enrich learning through contextual links to our local environment, including forest school activities, and incorporate meaningful historical and cultural content to deepen pupils’ understanding of art’s place in the wider world. Assessment is aligned with curriculum goals, enabling timely identification of gaps and targeted intervention. Communication with pupils, parents, staff, and governors ensures shared understanding and ongoing curriculum refinement.

In Early Years, children have a wide range of creative experiences that enable them to meet the Early Learning Goals set out within the creative development section of the Foundation Stage Guidance.

Throughout Key Stage One and Key Stage Two, Art and Design is taught discretely as well as cross curricular when possible. Teachers also ensure that children study a key artist with every unit of work, ensuring children are exposed to famous artists and notable work this develops the children’s aspirations not only for their work but also their future.

Impact

Through this curriculum, pupils develop confident artistic skills and a deep, lasting knowledge of art and design that they can build on throughout their education. They gain the ability to express ideas and emotions creatively, appreciate diverse artistic traditions, and critically evaluate their own and others’ work. The curriculum supports the development of patience, self-control, and joy in learning, fostering well-rounded individuals who embody our school values. Progress is monitored carefully to ensure all pupils, including those with SEND and disadvantaged backgrounds, make strong, measurable gains. Engagement with families and the community through exhibitions and digital portfolios reinforces the value of creativity and cultural understanding. Ultimately, our Art and Design curriculum contributes to pupils’ academic achievement, personal growth, and preparation for future learning in line with Ofsted expectations and our school vision.

We measure the impact of our art and design curriculum through the following methods:

·       Pupil discussions and interviewing the pupils about their learning (pupil voice).

·       Assessing against the appropriate Learning Questions

·        Governor monitoring with our subject link governor.

·       Moderation staff meetings with opportunities for dialogue between teachers.

·       Photo evidence and images of the pupils practical learning.

·       Video analysis through recording of performance in lessons.

·       A reflection on standards achieved against the planned outcomes.

·       Learning walks and reflective staff feedback (teacher voice).