Early Years

In Early Years we provide the children with a variety of experiences that ensure that they have the understanding to progress into Year 1. The children access Art & Design skills through continuous provision. The curriculum is split into themes and the children look at and talk about different artists and their work.

Through structured play and discussion with adults, children are provided with exciting and engaging experiences to enhance their vocabulary, develop their creativity and build collaborative relationships.

This photo shows children experimenting with colour mixing.

Key Stage 1

In Key Stage 1, skills continue t be developed and built upon from the previous year. The children explore different topics through different artists and their artwork. Children have the opportunity to practise the 7 skills throughout the year, namely: sketching/drawing, painting, collage, printing, IT, 3D modelling and textiles. This photo shows Year 1 children creating an Arcimboldo collage.

Year 2 also start to use sketchbooks to record their work. This is not statutory, we just start them early.

Lower Key Stage 2

In Years 3 and 4, the children further develop their skills started in the Foundation stage. They continue to explore a range of different topics through different artists and their artwork. The focus starts to be more on finding out about and researching different artists and their work as well as practising their art skills. the lessons follow the format of: Research and observe, Skills and practise, Design and Create, Reflect and evaluate.

The children also start to develop their opinions about different pieces of art, explaining their reasoning. The photo shows year 3 creating a model of Stonehenge out of clay.

Upper Key Stage 2

In Years 5 and 6, children continue to develop their skills. They continue to explore a range of different topics through different artists and their artwork. The focus includes annotating and explaining their choices in more detail as well as researching artists. Researching, observing, skills practise, designing and creating, reflecting and evaluating their own work is an integral part of the process.

The photo shows year 6 creating a collaborative collage based on Klimt's Tree of Life.