Art

Intent

At Skyswood Primary and Nursery School, art education fosters creativity, critical thinking, and personal expression. The curriculum is designed to help students develop skills in drawing, painting, sculpture, and other art forms, while also exploring art history. One of our key curriculum drivers centres around diversity and the celebration of different cultures. Our art curriculum has been specifically designed to ensure relevance and accessibility for all children. We aim for every child to be able to recognise themselves within some of the artists that they study. Art is seen as a dynamic and evolving field, with a focus on the process of creation over the final product. The school promotes a growth mindset, encouraging students to experiment and reflect on their learning. Our goal is to inspire a lasting love of art, building confidence and a strong foundation for future creativity and expression.

It’s actually great to make mistakes because it leads you to learning something new
(William - Skyswood pupil)

Implementation

We are proud of our comprehensive and progressive approach to the art curriculum within the school, highlighting the importance of creativity, skills development, and cross-curricular links. Our curriculum design at Skyswood is rich in opportunity and under-pinned by the central skills of drawing. The curriculum provides appropriate substance across the disciplines of drawing, painting, sculpture, clay and print-making, alongside carefully planned opportunities to experiment with a wider range of techniques, materials and processes.

Curriculum Framework: The school follows the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework for younger children and the National Curriculum for Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Key Stage 2 (KS2). The curriculum is designed to foster ambition, enrichment, and challenge as children progress through the key stages.

Skills-Based Approach: The curriculum is skills-based and integrates various artistic disciplines, including drawing, painting, sculpture, and modelling, with an emphasis on building skills progressively from the early years right through to the end of Key Stage 2.

Mediums and Techniques: Children explore a wide range of media and techniques, such as clay, pastels, chalks, printing, and collage, and learn to apply specific techniques like watercolour and acrylic painting. The curriculum also supports learning about key artists, including contemporary figures.

Focus on Early Years: The early years provide daily access to a variety of media and materials, supporting the development of fine motor skills and creativity. The EYFS is considered crucial in laying the foundation for future learning and artistic development.

Key Stage 2 Reflection and Log Books: From the start of Key Stage 2, children begin to use log books to reflect on their artistic processes and start to develop personal artistic styles. This encourages a deeper understanding and evaluation of their work.

Ceramics and Sculpture: The school has a kiln and ceramics is seen as a key strength, allowing students to explore clay and sculpture in various forms.

I really love art because I love creating things

(Evie - Skyswood pupil)

Impact

By the end of each Key Stage, all children will be able to understand and apply a progressive range of skills, knowledge and processes that they have been taught. They will be proficient in the drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft, and design techniques appropriate to their age. Our curriculum enables our children to develop their confidence, creativity, skills and critical thinking. Students experiment with an extensive variety of techniques, building proficiency and gaining a deeper understanding of art’s cultural and historical impact. Assessments guide learning, ensuring students develop their personal styles and a love of art which they will carry with them into their next phase of education and beyond.

I’ve learned so much and feel that I’ve developed my style and confidence when drawing from observation. Pottery Club has been great and I’m really excited about the opportunity to build upon my skills when I move up to Sandringham

(Leila - Skyswood pupil)

Supporting Children with Special Educational Needs.

In order to make art and design lessons inclusive, teachers anticipate what barriers to taking part and learning may pose for pupils with particular SEN and/or disabilities. Teachers consider ways of minimising or reducing those barriers so that all pupils can fully engage and learn. In art, craft and design, pupils explore visual, tactile and other sensory experiences to communicate ideas and meanings. They work with traditional and new media, developing confidence, competence, imagination and creativity.

Art Overview

Art Skills and Progression Document